Breaking: Panic as Plane Somersaults at Nigerian Airport, Details Emerge
- The NSIB has confirmed that a plane that crash-landed at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo state, on Tuesday, December 16
- Four people were reportedly on board when the plane landed on the runway and somersaulted, with the crew reportedly sustaining severe injuries
- The incident, which involved a Cessna 172 aircraft operated by Skypower Express that crash-landed, was en route from Kaduna International Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has disclosed that a Cessna 172 aircraft operated by Skypower Express crashed-landed at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo state, on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
Bimbo Oladeji, the bureau's director of public affairs and family assistance, made this known in a statement.
Source: Twitter
According to The Punch, four of the occupants on the plane were hospitalised after the incident.
Details of aircraft that crashed in Imo
The NSIB disclosed that the aircraft with the registration number 5N-ASR was en route to Port Harcourt International Airport from Kaduna International Airport when the crew announced an in-flight emergency and then diverted to Owerri.
As of the time of writing this report, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had yet to speak on the incident.
Sources closer to the development disclosed that the victims have been taken to the hospital, but their status could not be verified independently.
It was learnt that the accident happened at about 8:00 pm on Tuesday when the aircraft approached Runway 17, landed in a crash and somersaulted. The NSIB stated that four persons were on board when the incident happened, and no fatalities had yet been reported.
Nigerians react as aircraft crashes in Imo
The report, which has been shared by a journalist, Rufai Oseni, has started generating reactions. Below are some of their reactions:
Daniel recounts his experience:
"What looked like a distressed aircraft was hovering over Enugu airport last night, sounding strange. I had to get out of my house, being wary of a clash with buildings. It eventually left towards the Awgu side, perhaps to Owerri. Enugu airport must have closed then for an emergency landing."
Source: Original
Ecodon commented:
"Why are we building Cargo airport virtually in every State in Nigeria. While we have cumulative bad roads, and our health sectors are not in optimal condition. @NigeriaGov needs to re-strategise on time. You are majorly encouraging importation, but at what expense?"
Mayami condemned the darkness at the airport:
"How can everywhere be so dark in an airport? How much is light?"
Jonathan Otsai reacted:
"The planes we have operating in Nigeria are fairly used jambox, taxiing at our airport, and the operators are collecting a large sum of money from dose dead plane. Hope the passengers are safe."
Read more reactions here:
Turkish plane crashes in Georgia
Legit.ng earlier reported that the 20 soldiers on board a Turkish C-130 military cargo aircraft, which crashed in Georgia, close to its border with Azerbaijan, have been confirmed dead. The Turkish Defence Ministry disclosed the development after investigators observed the cause of the incident at the scene.
The Turkish Defence Ministry confirmed the development on Wednesday, following the crash of the plane, which took off from the Azerbaijani city of Ganja, which was nearby.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
