Aircraft Crashes Near Owerri Airport After Mid-Air Emergency
Drama unfolded in the skies over Imo State on Tuesday evening as a Skypower Express light aircraft was forced into an emergency crash landing near the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport. The Cessna 172, registered as 5N-ASR, was originally traveling from Kaduna to Port Harcourt when the crew declared an in-flight emergency, prompting an urgent diversion to Owerri. The incident occurred around 8:00 PM local time near the approach area of Runway 17, immediately putting airport emergency teams on high alert.
Despite the frightening nature of the descent, there was a significant sense of relief as authorities confirmed that all four people on board survived the impact. Miraculously, no fatalities or serious injuries were recorded, and the aircraft did not catch fire after hitting the ground. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) noted that the swift response and the nature of the landing allowed flight operations at the airport to continue without disruption, with other planes maintaining their scheduled take-offs and landings.
The NSIB has since taken full control of the scene to begin a comprehensive review of what went wrong. Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, stated that specialized teams are currently working to recover the wreckage from the crash site for a detailed forensic examination. This process is part of the bureau’s standard investigation protocol, aimed at uncovering the technical failures that led to the mid-air emergency and ensuring such an incident doesn’t happen again.
In the wake of the crash, NSIB Director-General Alex Badeh Jr. expressed his sympathies to the management of Skypower Express while emphasizing how fortunate it was that no lives were lost. While the investigation is still in its early stages, the focus remains on securing the site and analyzing the aircraft’s remains. For the aviation community and travelers in Owerri, the event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness and the skill of crews in navigating life-threatening situations
