A chartered aircraft, call sign ASR and registration number 5N-SKR, operated by Sky Power Kaduna, crashed at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri around 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
The aircraft, a Cessna 172, was en route from Kaduna to Port Harcourt.
A source within the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “The plane was on its way to Port Harcourt from Kaduna, made a crash landing at the threshold of Runway 17.”
The source added that only four people were on board the aircraft, noting that “two of them were in very critical conditions and quickly rushed to the Nigerian Air Force Hospital, close to the airport.”
In a press statement, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, confirmed the incident. She said, “The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has been notified of an accident involving a Cessna 172 aircraft, with nationality and registration marks 5N-ASR, operated by Skypower Express. The occurrence took place today (yesterday) around 20:00 hours local time at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.”
She explained that the aircraft had originally been flying from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport when the crew declared an emergency, necessitating a diversion to Owerri, according to Vanguard.
“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,” she added.
Olawumi Oladeji further noted that airport emergency services were immediately activated and responded 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 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 has officially activated its protocols in accordance with its mandate.”
Speaking on the crash, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., Director General of the NSIB, expressed sympathy to the management of Skypower Express. “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.”
