In a dramatic turn of events on Tuesday evening, four occupants of a Cessna 172 aircraft narrowly escaped death when the plane crash-landed at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State.
The aircraft, registered as 5N-ASR and operated by Skypower Express, was en route from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport when the crew declared an emergency and diverted to Owerri.
The incident occurred around 6:58 p.m. as the plane approached Runway 17, according to a statement issued by Bimbo Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
Responding promptly to the emergency alert, airport police patrol units, alongside the airport’s emergency response teams, rushed to the scene and successfully rescued all four occupants.
Fortunately, there was no post-crash fire, and flight operations at the airport were not disrupted, with the runway remaining operational throughout the response.
Oladeji confirmed that all survivors were crew members.
Two were reported in stable condition, while the other two, who were initially unconscious, were quickly evacuated to a nearby hospital and are receiving medical care.
A formal investigation has been launched by the NSIB in accordance with its statutory mandate.
Efforts are currently underway to recover the aircraft from the crash site to allow for a thorough examination of the wreckage.
The investigation aimed to determine the factors that led to the emergency landing.
Captain Alex Badeh Jr., Director-General of the NSIB, expressed relief that no lives were lost in the incident and extended sympathy to the airline.
Authorities have assured the public that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.
