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Tag: Cessna 172 aircraft

  • Four occupants safe in Port Harcourt-bound aircraft crash

    Four occupants safe in Port Harcourt-bound aircraft crash

    • Plane somersaulted 

    • NSIB launches probe

    The four persons on board the Cessna 172 aircraft, which crashed on Tuesday evening at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State, are safe.

    The Port Harcourt-bound aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-ASR is operated by Skypower Express.

    According to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the aircraft was en route from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport when the crew declared an emergency, necessitating a diversion to Owerri.

    In a statement, the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the Bureau, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, said there were no casualties. However, a source said the plane somersaulted and was damaged.

    The status and the identity of those onboard were, however, not stated.

    The statement by the Bureau reads: “The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has been notified of an accident involving a Cessna 172 aircraft, with nationality and registration marks 5N-ASR, operated by Skypower Express.

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    “The occurrence took place today, around 20:00 hours local time at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.

    “The aircraft was originally en route from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport when the crew declared an emergency, necessitating a diversion to Owerri.

    “The aircraft subsequently crashed in the approach area of Runway 17. There were four people on board at the time of the accident, with no fatalities reported so far.

    “Following the occurrence, airport emergency services were successfully activated and arrived on site promptly. Reports indicate that there was no post-crash fire, and the runway remains active for flight operations, with other aircraft taking off safely after the incident.”

    The Bureau noted that efforts were underway to coordinate the recovery and evacuation of the distressed aircraft from the crash site to allow for a detailed wreckage examination.

    It added that it has activated its protocols in accordance with its mandate.

    The Director-General of the NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr. said: “We express our deepest sympathies to the management of Skypower Express and are glad that no fatalities have been reported so far. The NSIB has activated its protocols, and our team is already coordinating with authorities to secure the site.”.

    The Bureau promised to provide further updates as the investigation progresses.

  • JUST IN: Crew, passengers evacuated as Cessna 172 crashes at Owerri Airport

    JUST IN: Crew, passengers evacuated as Cessna 172 crashes at Owerri Airport

    A Skypower Express Cessna 172 aircraft, with registration number 5N-ASR, crashed on Tuesday evening while attempting to land at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.

    The aircraft was en route from Kaduna to Port Harcourt when the crew declared an emergency and diverted to Owerri. It reportedly struck the approach area of Runway 17 at about 8 p.m. and somersaulted on impact.

    There was no fire outbreak and no fatalities were recorded in the incident, as all four occupants on board survived.

    The crew and passengers were evacuated from the aircraft and taken to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation.

    Reacting to the crash, the Nigeria Police Force, Airport Command, Lagos, confirmed an aviation incident involving a chartered aircraft at the Sam Mbakwe.

    In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Airport Command, Lagos, ASP Mohammed Adeola explained how the incident happened.

    He said, “On Tuesday, 16th December 2025, at approximately 6:58 p.m., a chartered aircraft with call sign ASR, registration number 5N-SKR, and aircraft type Cessna 172 (C-172), en route from Kaduna to Owerri, experienced a crash landing at the threshold of Runway 17. The aircraft sustained varying degrees of damage.

    “There were four crew members on board at the time of the occurrence. Upon receipt of the distress information, the airport police patrol units in collaboration with airport emergency response teams, were swiftly deployed to the scene. All occupants were successfully rescued. Two of the crew members were in stable condition, while the remaining two, who were initially unconscious, were immediately evacuated to the hospital where they are currently receiving medical attention.

    “Airport operations remained uninterrupted, as the situation was promptly brought under control. The affected area remains under close monitoring to ensure continued safety and security, while relevant aviation authorities have commenced the necessary technical assessments in line with standard operating procedures.”

    The Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, CP Olufunke Ogunbode, commended the professionalism and rapid coordination of all responding agencies and reassured the public of the Command’s unshaken commitment to aviation safety, public security, and effective emergency response across all airports.

    Responding also, the Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji said that recovery crew were evacuating the aircraft to allow for a detailed wreckage analysis. She stated that they would keep the public informed as the investigation progressed and would release findings once the probe was completed.

    NSIB spokesperson said that they had launched a full investigation into the crash.

    Also, Director‑General of the NSIB,Captain Alex Badeh Jr, said that their team was on site coordinating with airport authorities and emergency services to secure the wreckage. 

    He added that they were grateful that there had been no fatalities among the four occupants, adding that they would conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause of the incident.