Skypower Express Cessna 172 Crash In Owerri: What We Know Tonight
The crew had declared an in-flight emergency and diverted from its original route between Kaduna and Port Harcourt to Owerri. On final approach, the aircraft hit the runway, flipped over, and came to rest upside down.
There were no deaths, but all four occupants were injured. Two people are in critical condition and were moved to a military or air force medical facility, while the other two are also receiving treatment in hospital. Airport fire and rescue teams responded quickly, helped bring people out of the aircraft, and secured the area.
This post walks through what happened, what we know about the passengers and crew, how the emergency response unfolded, and what comes next with the official investigation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a76XS9HKTaI
What Happened At Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport Tonight
Reports coming in from local and national outlets, including The Guardian Nigeria, paint a similar picture of a serious but survivable crash.
The Skypower Express Cessna 172 was on a charter flight from Kaduna toward Port Harcourt on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. At some point during the flight, the crew reported an emergency to air traffic control. Instead of continuing to Port Harcourt, they turned toward Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri.
Conditions around Owerri that evening were warm with partly cloudy skies, light winds, and no major storms reported. So far, there is no sign that severe weather played a role, although only investigators can confirm that later.
Around 8:00 p.m. local time, as the plane approached Runway 17, things went badly wrong. The aircraft crash-landed, then flipped over, and ended up resting inverted on the runway. Photos shared by local media show a heavily damaged light aircraft with fire crews around it.
Rescue teams at the airport reacted within minutes. Fire trucks rolled out, first responders foamed the area in case of fire, and medics went straight to the passengers. Early reports from The Nation say crew and passengers were evacuated quickly from the wreckage.
Short timeline of the Skypower Express Cessna 172 crash
To recap the basic sequence in simple steps:
- A Cessna 172 operated by Skypower Express, reported as registration 5N-ASR, departed Kaduna on a flight toward Port Harcourt.
- During the flight, the crew declared an emergency and diverted to Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri.
- At about 8:00 p.m. local time, while on approach to Runway 17, the aircraft crash-landed, flipped over, and came to rest upside down.
- Airport fire and rescue crews rushed to the runway, secured the scene, and began medical care for the four people on board.
Some reports list a slightly different registration and operator name, such as 5N-SKR and “Sky Power Kaduna”. Aviation incident trackers often highlight that these details come from news and unofficial sources, so small differences are common at this stage.
It is still early, and some of these details may be updated after officials finish their checks and publish a full report.
Passengers, injuries, and first emergency response
According to current reports, including coverage from Daily Post Nigeria, there were four people on board the Cessna 172. All four survived.
Two occupants are in critical condition and were taken to a nearby military or air force hospital. The other two also went to hospital for treatment, although their exact injuries have not been described in detail yet.
Airport emergency teams did what they train for. They moved in fast, checked for fuel leaks or fire, helped remove people from the inverted aircraft, and cleared the runway. Medical teams stabilized the injured before transport.
These numbers may change as doctors share updates. Sometimes, someone listed as “critical” improves after surgery. In other cases, an injury that first looks minor turns out to be more serious. For now, this is the best public information available.
What We Know So Far About The Cause And Investigation
Right now, there is one honest answer to the question “What caused this crash?” We do not know yet.
Nigeria has a safety body whose job is to figure out what went wrong in events like this. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has said that it is already looking into the Owerri crash. A summary of their early response appears in a post shared by Nigeria Info PH on Facebook, where NSIB confirms that four people were hospitalized and that a full probe is underway here.
NSIB investigation: how officials will find out what went wrong
When a small aircraft like a Cessna 172 crashes, NSIB follows a step-by-step process.
First, investigators secure the wreckage and the crash site. They take photos from many angles, mark where main parts landed, and record measurements. If needed, they move the aircraft to a safer area so they can work without blocking airport operations.
Next, they collect maintenance records, flight logs, and any paperwork linked to the aircraft and crew. They will want to know when the plane last had checks, what parts were replaced, and if any issues were reported before.
Investigators also interview the crew, when their health allows, and talk to witnesses like airport staff and first responders. They review radio calls, radar tracks, and any flight following data that might show altitude, speed, and course changes.
They then look at many possible factors: mechanical problems, fuel issues, pilot workload, weather at the time, and how the emergency and landing were handled. NSIB will not publish a final cause until it has strong evidence. That process can take months.
Why early reports on the Imo airport crash can change
Breaking news after a crash often feels messy. Details shift as the hours pass.
In the first rush, numbers on injuries can be wrong or incomplete. Someone counted at the scene might not match hospital records later. Even the aircraft registration and operator name can show up in slightly different forms, as we have already seen with this case.
Aviation sites that track accidents have already listed this event as a crash-landing of a Cessna 172 that flipped on landing and suffered major damage. Many of those trackers use news and social media as their main sources, and they usually mark their entries as “preliminary”.
Patient conditions can also change. A person listed as “stable” may worsen overnight. Another may improve faster than expected. That is why journalists and officials tend to use phrases like “as of now” when they talk about figures.
When you read or share updates about this crash, it helps to check the date of the post and the source. If something sounds dramatic but does not name NSIB, the airport authority, or a known news outlet like The Nation, it is wise to pause before passing it on.
What This Plane Crash Means For Travelers And Local Residents
For people in Imo State and across Nigeria, tonight’s news is upsetting. It is normal to feel uneasy if you were planning to travel through Owerri or if you have loved ones who use that airport.
Flight safety, airport operations, and what passengers should expect
Cessna 172 aircraft are small, single-engine planes often used for charter flights, training, or special missions. Serious accidents with them are rare when you look at how often they fly.
After a crash on or near a runway, airports often pause or slow operations while crews finish rescue work and clear debris. That likely happened at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport tonight. Flights may be delayed, diverted to other airports, or even canceled for a while.
If you have a trip booked through Owerri in the next day or two, the best move is simple. Check in with your airline, your charter operator, or the airport authority before you leave home. Many carriers also post quick updates on their official social media pages or websites.
Expect some disruption in the short term, but not a long-term shutdown.
How to talk about the Imo airport crash without spreading fear
An accident like this hits close to home. It helps to keep the conversation gentle and grounded in facts.
A few simple habits can make a big difference:
- Share only verified updates, and avoid forwarding graphic images or shaky rumors.
- Be kind to people who may have family flying into or out of Owerri, and give them space if they are anxious.
- With children, keep language simple. Explain that a small plane had a bad landing, that everyone survived, and that doctors are helping the injured.
- If it fits your beliefs, you can offer prayers or quiet good wishes for the people in hospital and for the teams working through the night.
In short, speak in a way that you would want others to speak if your own loved one had been on that flight.
Conclusion
Tonight’s story from Owerri is serious, but it is also a story of survival. A Cessna 172 operated by Skypower Express crash-landed at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport after an in-flight emergency. Four people were hurt, two of them critically, but no lives were lost.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau is already working to find out what went wrong, and it will share its findings when the evidence is clear. Until then, any claim about the cause is only a guess.
As you follow this story, try to stay patient, lean on trusted news sources, and support people around you who may feel shaken. Tonight is not just about a damaged airplane. It is also about quick emergency response, skilled workers on the ground, and four people who made it out alive.
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