Four Injured as Aircraft Somersaults at Owerri Airport
“Four people were injured after a Cessna aircraft operated by Skypower Express somersaulted at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri. NSIB has commenced investigations.”
Owerri, Imo State — Four persons are currently receiving medical treatment following an aircraft accident involving a light plane at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.
The aircraft, a Cessna 172 operated by Skypower Express, reportedly somersaulted after landing at the airport.
Confirming the incident on Tuesday, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) disclosed that the aircraft, with registration number 5N-ASR, had departed Kaduna International Airport en route to Port Harcourt International Airport before the flight crew declared an in-flight emergency and diverted to Owerri.
Details of the incident were contained in a statement signed by the NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji.
According to the bureau, all four occupants were on board at the time of the incident, and no fatalities were recorded.
“Airport emergency response services were immediately activated and arrived at the scene promptly,” Oladeji stated.
She added: “There was no post-crash fire, and flight operations at the airport were not disrupted, as the runway remained active with other aircraft taking off safely after the incident.”
The NSIB spokesperson further revealed that arrangements were underway to retrieve and relocate the damaged aircraft from the scene to enable a thorough examination of the wreckage.
In a related development, the Director-General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., confirmed that the agency had commenced its investigative procedures in line with its statutory mandate.
“We express our deepest sympathies to the management of Skypower Express and are relieved that no fatalities have been reported. The NSIB has activated its investigation protocols, and our team is already coordinating with relevant authorities to secure the site,” Badeh Jr. said.
He assured that further updates would be made available as investigations progress.
