Arik Air Boeing 737 makes emergency diversion to Benin after mid-air engine damage detected

An Arik Air Boeing 737-700 operating a Lagos–Port Harcourt flight made an emergency diversion to Benin Airport on Wednesday after the crew detected a loud bang and subsequent engine anomaly during descent.

The aircraft, with registration number 5N-MJF, was operating flight W3 740 from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, to the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the incident occurred.

According to Adebanjo Ola, the airline’s spokesperson, the crew heard a loud bang from the left engine as the aircraft was descending into Port Harcourt, prompting immediate precautionary action.

“The aircraft was on its descent to Port Harcourt when the operating crew heard a loud bang on the left engine. As a precautionary measure, the crew made a safe diversion to Benin,” Ola said in a statement.

The aircraft landed safely at the Benin Airport, and all 80 passengers and crew members on board disembarked without injury. The airline confirmed that arrangements were made to transport the affected passengers to their final destination.

“There were no injuries to passengers and crew as all 80 passengers on board were safely disembarked. Arrangements have been made to transport the affected passengers to their final destination,” the statement added.

Arik Air apologised for the disruption to passengers’ travel plans, reiterating that safety remains its top priority.

“We sincerely apologise to the affected Port Harcourt passengers whose journey has been disrupted. The safety and well-being of passengers is always our priority at Arik Air,” the spokesperson said.

Confirming the development, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) described the incident as involving significant damage to the affected engine.

Bimbo Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the NSIB, said the aircraft experienced an in-flight engine anomaly, with abnormal indications detected on one of the engines.

“In accordance with established safety procedures, the flight crew conducted a precautionary engine shutdown and diverted to the nearest suitable airport, Benin. The aircraft landed without incident, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally. No injuries have been reported,” she stated.

Oladeji disclosed that preliminary observations at the diversion airport indicated significant damage to the affected engine based on an initial visual assessment.

The bureau said it had commenced a full investigation in line with its statutory mandate and international standards under ICAO Annex 13.

A preliminary assessment team has been deployed to Benin to secure the aircraft, document evidence, interview relevant personnel and witnesses, and recover the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder for analysis.

The NSIB added that a preliminary report would be issued within 30 days, while a final report would be released at the conclusion of the investigation.