The police force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau have confirmed a Tuesday night crash landing of a chartered aircraft at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo.

No death was recorded during the crash.

The incident involved SkyPower Express’s C-172 aircraft, call sign ASR, registration 5N-ASR.

The aircraft, en route from Kaduna to Port Harcourt, made an emergency landing at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport.

A police statement said the incident occurred at about 6:58 p.m. on Tuesday as the aircraft experienced a crash-landing at the threshold of Runway 17, sustaining varying degrees of damage.

“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,” the police stated.

The statement added, “The commissioner of police, airport command, Olufunke Ogunbode, commends the professionalism and rapid coordination of all responding agencies.

“Ogunbode reassures the public of the command’s unshaken commitment to aviation safety, public security, and effective emergency response across all airports.”

Meanwhile, NSIB has issued a statement confirming the incident.

“The crew declared an emergency, necessitating a diversion to Owerri, where the aircraft subsequently crash-landed 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,” it stated.

NSIB said there was equally no post-crash fire, adding that the runway remained active for flight operations, with other aircraft taking off safely after the incident.

“Efforts are currently underway to coordinate the recovery and evacuation of the distressed aircraft from the crash site to allow for a detailed wreckage examination.

“The director-general of the bureau, Alex Badeh Jr, expressed his deepest sympathies to the management of Skypower Express and is glad that no fatalities were reported. The NSIB has activated its protocols, and our team is already coordinating with authorities to secure the site,” the statement added.

(NAN)