Arik Air flight diverts to Benin after engine anomaly; passengers safe

An Arik Air Boeing 737-700 operating a Lagos-to-Port Harcourt flight on Wednesday was forced to divert to Benin Airport after the flight crew reported a “loud bang” from the aircraft’s left engine.

The incident, which occurred as the plane was descending into Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, involved flight W3-740 with registration 5N-MJF.

In a statement, Arik Air said the diversion was a precautionary measure and confirmed that all 80 passengers and crew disembarked safely, with arrangements made to transport them to their final destination.

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

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) classified the event as an in-flight engine anomaly. According to Bimbo Oladeji, NSIB’s director of public affairs and family assistance, the crew detected abnormal engine indications and conducted a precautionary engine shutdown before diverting.

“The aircraft landed without incident, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally. No injuries have been reported,” Oladeji said.

Preliminary observations indicated significant damage to the affected engine, prompting the NSIB to launch a formal investigation in line with ICAO Annex 13 and Nigerian civil aviation regulations.

An assessment team has been dispatched to Benin Airport to secure the aircraft, recover flight recorders, interview personnel, and document evidence.

The NSIB is coordinating with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Arik Air, and other stakeholders to determine the sequence of events and contributing factors.

READ ALSO: Arik Air named labour friendly Airline of the Year 2024

A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, followed by a final report at the conclusion of the investigation. Members of the public with relevant information are encouraged to contact the bureau through official channels.

This is not the first time an Arik Air flight has faced engine or technical issues in Nigeria. In 2021, an Arik Air Boeing 737-800 experienced an engine failure mid-flight, forcing a safe diversion to Akure Airport, while in 2018, a flight to Abuja returned to Lagos due to engine irregularities.

Aviation experts say that while such incidents can be alarming, strict adherence to safety protocols and crew training ensures passenger safety.

The Wednesday incident underscores the importance of robust aircraft maintenance and regulatory oversight in Nigeria’s growing commercial aviation sector, as stakeholders continue to prioritize safety and operational reliability.