Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
All four persons on board a Port Harcourt-bound plane escaped death by a whisker on Tuesday night when their aircraft, a Cessna 172 operated by Skypower Express, crashed at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.
The aircraft, marked 5N-ASR, was flying from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport when the crew declared an emergency, forcing a diversion to Owerri.
Reports say the aircraft crashed in the approach area of Runway 17 at about 8:00 p.m. local time.
All four people on board were said to have been rescued and evacuated from the crash site.
According to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), there was no post-crash fire, and flight operations at the airport continued safely, with other aircraft taking off after the incident.
A statement signed by Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB, said: “Efforts are ongoing to recover the distressed aircraft from the crash site for a detailed wreckage examination.”
The NSIB noted that it has activated its protocols in line with its mandate. Director-General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., expressed sympathy to Skypower Express while welcoming the absence of casualties.
“We express our deepest sympathies to the management of Skypower Express and are glad that no fatalities have been reported so far. Our team is coordinating with authorities to secure the site,” he said.
