…No Casualties Recorded
By Attah Ede
A Cessna 172 aircraft operated by Skypower Express on Tuesday night crashed, at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State, with no causality recorded .
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed the ugly development , saying it has been notified of an accident involving a Cessna 172 aircraft, with nationality and registration marks 5N-ASR, operated by Skypower Express, with all four occupants escaping unhurt.
The occurrence took place on Tuesday around 8pm at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State
The aircraft ,was said to have taken off from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport when the crew declared an emergency, necessitating a diversion to Owerri and 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 and there was no post-crash fire.
It was stated that flight operations at the airport continued safely, with other aircraft taking off after the incident.
A statement 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 had 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
