Sade Ayodele
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) said it has been notified of an accident involving a Cessna 172 aircraft, with nationality and registration marks 5N-ASR, operated by Skypower Express, where all four occupants escaped unhurt.
The occurrence took place on Tuesday around 20:00 (8.pm) hours local time at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State
The aircraft , the bureau said was originally en route from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport when the crew declared an emergency, necessitating a diversion to Owerri.
” The aircraft subsequently crashed in the approach area of Runway 17. There were four people on board at the time of the accident, with no fatalities reported so far.”, a statement by Bimbo Oladeji, spokesperson for the Bureau said.
The Bureau added that following the occurrence, airport emergency services were successfully activated and arrived on site promptly.
Reports indicate that there was no post-crash fire, and the runway remains active for flight operations, with other aircraft taking off safely after the incident.
Efforts, the Bureau said, are currently underway to coordinate the recovery and evacuation of the distressed aircraft from the crash site to allow for a detailed wreckage examination.
The NSIB added that it has officially activated its protocols in accordance with its mandate.
Speaking on the accident, Alex Badeh Jr, the director general of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, stated, “We express our deepest sympathies to the management of Skypower Express and are glad that no fatalities have been reported so far. The NSIB has activated its protocols, and our team is already coordinating with authorities to secure the site, further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
