Passengers survive dramatic Skypower Express Cessna crash-landing in Owerri

Abdullateef Fowewe

A Skypower Express Cessna aircraft crash-landed at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport on Tuesday evening, with all passengers walking away unharmed.

The single-engine Cessna, operating flight from Kaduna to Port Harcourt, declared an in-flight emergency mid-journey, prompting pilots to divert to the nearest suitable airport in Owerri. Eyewitnesses reported the plane touching down around 8 p.m. near Runway 17, where it somersaulted violently upon impact with the ground.

Miraculously, the aircraft did not burst into flames, averting a potential catastrophe.

Airport sources confirmed that emergency response teams mobilised immediately, providing on-site medical attention to passengers who sustained minor injuries.

Operations at the airport resumed without interruption, highlighting the efficiency of protocols at the facility.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has taken control of the crash site, securing wreckage and black box data for a thorough probe.

Preliminary reports suggest possible mechanical issues or weather factors, but officials urge the public to await the official findings.