Four people are receiving medical treatment following an aircraft accident at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.
The aircraft, a Cessna 172 operated by Skypower Express, was involved in an incident that caused it to somersault after making an emergency landing at the airport.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed the development on Tuesday, stating that the aircraft, with registration number 5N-ASR, had departed Kaduna International Airport en route to Port Harcourt before the flight crew declared an in-flight emergency and diverted to Owerri.
In a statement signed by the NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, the bureau disclosed that all four occupants were on board at the time of the accident and that no fatalities were recorded.
“Airport emergency response services were immediately activated and arrived at the scene promptly,” Oladeji said.
She added that there was no post-crash fire and that airport operations were not affected, as the runway remained open for other aircraft to operate safely.
According to the NSIB, arrangements are currently underway to recover and relocate the damaged aircraft to enable a detailed technical examination.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., confirmed that a formal investigation has commenced in line with the bureau’s statutory responsibilities.
“We sympathise with the management of Skypower Express and are grateful that no lives were lost. Our investigators have been deployed and are working with relevant authorities to secure the aircraft and determine the cause of the incident,” Badeh Jr. said.
He assured that further updates would be released as the investigation progresses.