BREAKING: 4 Escape Death As Aircraft Somersaults At Owerri Airport

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), on Tuesday night, confirmed an accident involving a Cessna 172 aircraft operated by Skypower Express at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Bureau’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji.

The aircraft, which declared in-flight emergency, crash-landed and subsequently summersaulted.

It was gathered that all four occupants of the aircraft were consequently hospitalised following the incident but no details about their health status at press time.

NSIB officials said the aircraft, with registration number 5N-ASR, was on its way to Port Harcourt International Airport from Kaduna International Airport when the crew declared an in-flight emergency and diverted to Owerri Airport.

According to the NSIB, four persons were on board at the time of the accident, and no fatalities have been reported.

“Airport emergency response services were immediately activated and arrived at the scene promptly. Officials confirmed that 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,” Oladeji said.

She added that efforts were ongoing to recover and evacuate the damaged aircraft from the crash site to enable a detailed examination of the wreckage.

In the statement, the Director-General of NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., said the Bureau had activated its investigation protocols in line with its mandate.

“We express our deepest sympathies to the management of Skypower Express and are relieved that no fatalities have been reported so far. The NSIB has activated its protocols, and our team is already coordinating with relevant authorities to secure the site,” he said.