A Skypower Express Cessna 172 light aircraft crash-landed on Tuesday evening at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State, after declaring an emergency during what aviation authorities described as a precautionary diversion, officials confirmed.
The aircraft — identified by its registration number 5N-ASR — was en route from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport when the flight crew reported a technical issue, prompting an immediate change of course to Owerri. The incident occurred around 8:00 p.m. local time as the plane approached Runway 17.
According to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), all four individuals on board — including pilots and passengers — survived the crash without injury. There was no post-crash fire, and emergency responders quickly secured the scene.
NSIB spokesperson Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji confirmed the agency has activated its investigation protocols, with a technical team mobilised to examine the wreckage and determine preliminary causes. “Efforts are ongoing to recover the distressed aircraft from the crash site for a detailed wreckage examination,” she said, emphasising the bureau’s mandate to ascertain contributing factors.
Airport operations were briefly affected by the emergency, but normal flight movements resumed later as ground handling teams cleared the aircraft and assessed runway condition reports. Other scheduled flights continued to operate safely during and after the incident.
The Cessna 172 is a widely used single-engine aircraft, often deployed for pilot training, charter services and light cargo or passenger duties. While generally regarded as reliable, small aircraft like the Cessna 172 can be vulnerable to engine or system failures that necessitate urgent landings. The results of the NSIB’s inquiry are expected to shed light on whether the emergency stemmed from mechanical issues, weather conditions, or other operational factors.
Aviation safety analysts note that prompt communication and efficient emergency response often make the difference in such regional incidents, underscoring the importance of ongoing training and infrastructure support at Nigeria’s secondary airports.