NEWS

Cessna 172 Crashes on Owerri Runway – No Fatalities, Investigation Underway

Published

2 months ago

December 17, 2025

A Cessna 172 aircraft operated by Skypower Express, registration 5N‑ASR, crashed on the approach to Runway 17 at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State, on Tuesday evening around 20:00 local time.

The plane, which had taken off from Kaduna International Airport bound for Port Harcourt, declared an emergency and diverted to Owerri, where it came down in the runway’s approach area. All four occupants survived, with two reported stable and two receiving hospital care after being unconscious at the scene.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed the accident and activated its investigation protocols.

Director‑General Captain 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. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.”

In another statement, the Nigeria Police Force – Airport Command, Lagos, confirmed the incident, noting that police patrol units and emergency responders were swiftly deployed.

Commissioner of Police CP Olufunke Ogunbode praised the rapid coordination and assured the public of continued safety measures at the airport.

Airport operations continued uninterrupted; the runway remained active, and other aircraft took off safely after the crash. Recovery crews are now working to remove the wreckage for a detailed examination.