By Deborah Nnamdi
Four persons narrowly escaped death on Tuesday evening after a Cessna 172 aircraft operated by Skypower Express crash-landed at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State.
The incident occurred at about 6:58 p.m. as the aircraft was approaching Runway 17, according to a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Bimbo Oladeji.
The aircraft, with registration number 5N-ASR, was en route from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport when the crew declared an emergency and diverted to Owerri.
Upon receiving the distress alert, airport police patrol units, working alongside airport emergency response teams, were immediately deployed to the scene and successfully rescued all occupants on board. The NSIB said there was no post-crash fire, and airport emergency services responded promptly.
Flight operations at the airport were not disrupted, as the runway remained operational after the incident.
The bureau confirmed that the four survivors were crew members. Two were reported to be in stable condition, while the remaining two, who were initially unconscious, were evacuated to a hospital where they are currently receiving medical attention.
The NSIB said a formal investigation has commenced in line with its statutory mandate, adding that arrangements are underway to recover and evacuate the aircraft to allow for a detailed examination of the wreckage.
The Director-General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., expressed sympathy to the airline involved and relief that no lives were lost, assuring the public that further updates would be provided as more information becomes available.
