Panic As Arik Air Flight Makes Emergency Landing At Benin Airport

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has reported that an Arik Air Boeing 737-7GL, registered as 5N-MJF and operating a scheduled domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt, encountered an in-flight engine issue on Wednesday but safely diverted to Benin Airport.

NSIB disclosed this in a statement by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji.

The statement said that the flight crew detected abnormal indications on one of the engines during the cruise phase.

According to the statement, following standard safety procedures, the crew conducted a precautionary engine shutdown and diverted to the nearest suitable airport.

The Bureau confirmed that the aircraft landed without incident, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally. No injuries have been reported.

“Preliminary observations at Benin Airport suggest significant damage to the affected engine, based on an initial visual assessment. In line with its statutory mandate and international standards under ICAO Annex 13, the NSIB said it has commenced an investigation.

“The assessment team is en route to Benin to secure the aircraft, document evidence, interview relevant personnel and witnesses, and recover flight data and cockpit voice recorder information,” the statement said.

The Bureau disclosed that it is working closely with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Arik Air, and other stakeholders to determine the sequence of events and any contributing factors.