Four Escape Death As Skypower Express Aircraft Crash-Lands In Owerri
By Paul Ebi
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, Owerri, Imo State.
The incident occurred at about 6:58 p.m. as the aircraft approached Runway 17, according to a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji.
Oladeji explained that 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 mid-flight and diverted to Owerri.
Upon receiving the distress alert, airport police patrol units, working in collaboration with emergency response teams, were swiftly deployed to the scene. All four occupants of the aircraft were rescued alive.
She noted that airport emergency services were immediately activated and responded promptly, adding that there was no post-crash fire. Flight operations at the airport were also not disrupted, as the runway remained fully operational after the incident.
According to the NSIB, all survivors were crew members on board the aircraft at the time of the occurrence. Two of them were reported to be in stable condition, while the remaining two, who were initially unconscious, were rushed to a hospital where they are currently receiving medical care.
The Bureau confirmed that a formal investigation has commenced in line with its statutory mandate to determine the cause of the incident. Oladeji assured the public that further updates would be provided as more information becomes available.
She added that arrangements are ongoing to recover and evacuate the aircraft from the crash site to allow for a detailed wreckage examination as part of the investigation process.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., expressed sympathy to Skypower Express and the affected crew, while also expressing relief that no lives were lost in the incident.
