By : Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro
Four Hospitalised After Skypower Express Aircraft Crashes at Imo’s Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri, Imo State
—Four people were hospitalised on Tuesday evening after a Skypower Express Cessna 172 light aircraft crash-landed at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, also known as Imo Airport, in Owerri, Imo State. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed the incident and has launched a formal investigation.
The aircraft, registered as 5N-ASR, had departed Kaduna International Airport bound for Port Harcourt International Airport when the flight crew reported an in-flight emergency and diverted to Owerri for an urgent landing. Around 8:00 p.m. local time, the small plane crashed in the approach area of Runway 17, flipping over upon touchdown.
According to the NSIB statement, all four people onboard — believed to include crew and possibly passengers — survived the accident, with no fatalities reported so far. Emergency response teams were dispatched immediately to the scene, where they assisted the injured and secured the area.
Medical personnel subsequently transported the four injured individuals to a nearby hospital. At the time of reporting, details about their injuries and medical conditions remain limited as authorities and hospital officials have not released further updates.
Officials at the airport stressed that there was no post-crash fire, and other flight operations were not significantly disrupted after the accident, with the runway remaining active for incoming and outgoing traffic.
In its initial remarks, the NSIB highlighted that airport emergency services responded promptly, arriving at the scene to contain the situation and assist the victims. Efforts have also begun to remove the damaged aircraft from the crash site to allow investigators to conduct a comprehensive wreckage examination.
Captain Alex Badeh Jr., Director-General of the NSIB, said that the bureau has activated its standard investigation protocols in line with international aviation safety procedures. He urged the public and stakeholders to await official findings, promising that updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.
Eyewitnesses at the airport described a tense scene as emergency crews worked under floodlights to secure the crash site on the busy evening. One airport worker, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the aircraft somersaulted on the tarmac before coming to rest, but emphasised that swift response by ground crews helped prevent what could have been a more serious outcome.
The Cessna 172 is a single-engine light aircraft commonly used for flight training, private aviation, and short-distance travel. While relatively small compared to commercial jets, any accident involving such an aircraft prompts rigorous scrutiny to determine contributing factors — ranging from technical malfunction to weather conditions or pilot decisions.
The NSIB’s investigation will examine flight records, maintenance logs, weather reports, and eyewitness testimony to identify the sequence of events that led to the emergency diversion and subsequent crash-landing. The bureau’s mandate includes not only determining probable causes but also issuing safety recommendations to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Airport authorities and airline representatives have so far remained tight-lipped on the specifics of the aircraft’s condition before the emergency, but preliminary reports indicate that flight operations at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport continued normally throughout the night, with safety protocols activated as required.
This incident adds to a series of aviation safety events in Nigeria where rapid response and effective emergency procedures have often been credited with limiting fatalities. Aviation experts say ongoing investment in infrastructure, training, and safety enforcement remains crucial to mitigating risks in both commercial and general aviation sectors.
Authorities are expected to release a preliminary report in the coming days as the NSIB continues its detailed investigation. Local residents, passengers, and aviation stakeholders alike are watching developments closely, hopeful that the injured recover quickly and that lessons learned will further strengthen aviation safety standards in the region.
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