Four people were rushed to hospital on Tuesday night after a small aircraft crash-landed at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State.
The aircraft, a Cessna 172 operated by Skypower Express, reportedly somersaulted on the runway while attempting to land at the airport.
Confirming the incident, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) said the plane, with registration number 5N-ASR, was en route from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport when the crew declared an emergency and diverted to Owerri.
The crash occurred at about 8:00 pm as the aircraft was approaching Runway 17. All four occupants on board were immediately evacuated and taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
Although their exact medical condition has not been officially confirmed, authorities said there were no fatalities recorded in the incident.
Emergency response teams at the airport were quickly mobilised, and officials confirmed that there was no post-crash fire. Flight operations at the airport were not disrupted, as the runway remained open to other aircraft.
The NSIB has since launched a full-scale investigation into the crash. Its Director-General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., said investigators are working with relevant agencies to secure the scene and recover the aircraft for a thorough examination.
The bureau also expressed sympathy to Skypower Express and assured the public that standard safety procedures are being followed to determine the cause of the accident.
