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Owerri plane crash involved a Skypower Express Cessna 172 aircraft
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No fatalities recorded as emergency responders acted swiftly
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NSIB launches investigation into cause of the aircraft accident
A light aircraft operated by Skypower Express has crashed at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State, after the crew declared an in-flight emergency.
The aircraft, a Cessna 172 with registration number 5N-ASR, had departed Kaduna International Airport en route to Port Harcourt International Airport before diverting to Owerri due to the emergency.
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The crash occurred at about 8:00 pm within the airport premises. Four passengers and crew members were onboard at the time of the incident.
Confirming the development, the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, said the bureau had been formally notified of the crash.
According to the NSIB, the aircraft went down at the approach area of Runway 17, adding that no deaths or serious injuries have been recorded so far.
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“Following the occurrence, airport emergency services were promptly activated and arrived at the scene,” the bureau said. It noted that there was no post-crash fire, and the runway remained operational, allowing other aircraft to continue flight operations safely.
The NSIB further disclosed that arrangements are underway to recover and evacuate the aircraft from the crash site to enable a detailed wreckage examination.
The Director-General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., expressed sympathy with the management of Skypower Express and relief that the incident did not claim any lives. He added that the bureau has activated full investigation protocols in line with its statutory mandate.
The incident comes barely two days after a private jet crash-landed at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, where 11 occupants narrowly escaped death.
