An Arik Air Boeing 737-700, registered 5N-MJF, was forced to divert to Benin Airport on Wednesday after suffering an engine rupture while operating Flight W3 740 from Lagos to Port Harcourt. The aircraft was en route to Port Harcourt when the crew reportedly heard a loud bang from the left engine, raising concerns of possible damage. The pilots subsequently opted to divert the flight as a precautionary safety measure. In a statement signed by the airline’s PR and Communication Manager, Adebanji Ola, Arik Air said the incident occurred during the aircraft’s descent into Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
“The aircraft was on its descent to Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the incident happened, and as a precautionary measure, the crew had to make a safe diversion to Benin,” the statement said.
The airline confirmed there were no casualties, noting that all 80 passengers and crew members on board disembarked safely after the aircraft landed in Benin. It added that arrangements were made to transport the affected passengers to their final destination.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) also confirmed the incident and announced the commencement of an investigation into what it described as an “in-flight engine anomaly.”
According to the bureau, abnormal indications were detected on one of the engines during the cruise phase of the flight. “In accordance with established safety procedures, the flight crew conducted a precautionary engine shutdown and diverted to the nearest suitable airport, Benin,” the NSIB stated.
“The aircraft landed without incident, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally. No injuries have been reported,” the agency added in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji.
Preliminary observations at the diversion airport revealed significant damage to the affected engine based on an initial visual assessment. The NSIB disclosed that a team had been deployed to secure the aircraft, document evidence, interview relevant personnel and witnesses, and recover flight data and cockpit voice recorder information.
The bureau said it was working closely with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Arik Air and other stakeholders to determine the sequence of events and contributing factors. It pledged to release a preliminary report within 30 days in line with ICAO Annex 13 provisions, while a final report would be issued at the conclusion of the investigation.