A Cessna 172 operated by Skypower Express crash-landed at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State, on Tuesday night, saving the lives of four people.
According to a statement signed by Bimbo Oladeji, Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the event happened at approximately 6:58 p.m. as the aircraft approached Runway 17.
Oladeji revealed that the crew of the aircraft, registered 5N-ASR, declared an emergency and diverted to Owerri when it was travelling from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt.
According to Oladeji, airport police patrol units and airport emergency response teams quickly responded to the distress alarm and rescued every occupant.
The Bureau said that there was no post-crash fire, thus emergency personnel were soon called in and reacted.
According to the statement, the runway continued to function after the event, therefore flight operations at the airport were likewise unaffected.
Oladeji said the survivors are crew members on board at the time of the occurrence.
Two of the crew members were reported to be in stable condition, while the remaining two, who were initially unconscious, were immediately evacuated to a hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention.
It assured the public that further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
The statement added that the Director-General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., expressed sympathy to the airline and relief that no lives were lost in the incident.
