Panic briefly swept through Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri on Tuesday night after a light aircraft made an emergency landing and overturned on the runway.

The incident involved a Cessna 172 aircraft operated by Skypower Express, which was carrying four occupants at the time. All those on board survived the crash-landing and were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention. No fatalities were recorded.

Confirming the incident, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) said the aircraft had been en route from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt when the crew encountered a technical issue mid-flight. The pilots subsequently declared an emergency and diverted to Owerri as a precautionary measure.

According to the bureau, the aircraft, registered as 5N-ASR, ran into difficulties while approaching Runway 17 at about 8:00 p.m., where it made a hard landing and somersaulted on the runway.

Airport emergency services were promptly deployed, swiftly cordoning off the area and securing the aircraft. Authorities confirmed that there was no outbreak of fire following the crash, and airport activities were not disrupted, as the runway remained operational throughout the response.

Efforts are ongoing to remove the damaged aircraft from the runway for detailed technical assessment.

Meanwhile, NSIB Director-General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., disclosed that a full-scale investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the incident. He noted that investigators are working alongside relevant aviation agencies to protect the crash site and preserve vital evidence.

Also Read: 2026 Tax Laws Will Ease Burden On Businesses, Poor Nigerians – Tinubu

Captain Badeh Jr. assured the public that updates would be provided as the investigation progresses. As of the time of this report, neither the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority nor the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria had released official statements on the incident.