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| Arik Air aircraft on the runway after diverting to Benin City following a reported engine issue mid-flight. |
Arik Air flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt safely diverted to Benin Airport after an engine problem mid-air. The NSIB has launched an investigation into the incident.
An Arik Air aircraft travelling from Lagos to Port Harcourt was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Benin City on Wednesday after the crew noticed a problem with one of its engines while in the air. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed that the Boeing 737 aircraft, with registration number 5N-MJF, developed what it described as an engine anomaly during the cruise phase of the flight.
According to a statement released by the agency, the pilots observed unusual engine readings while the plane was at cruising altitude. Following standard aviation safety procedures, the crew shut down the affected engine as a precaution and immediately diverted the flight to the nearest suitable airport, which was Benin Airport.
The aircraft landed safely without any further complications.
All passengers and crew members disembarked normally, and no injuries were reported.
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| Damaged engine section of an Arik Air aircraft after it made an emergency landing in Benin City, according to the NSIB. |
Engine Damage Suspected
Initial checks carried out after landing reportedly showed visible damage to the affected engine. However, aviation authorities say a full investigation will determine the exact cause of the issue.
The NSIB said it has already begun a formal investigation in line with international aviation safety guidelines under ICAO Annex 13.
A team of investigators has been dispatched to Benin to secure the aircraft and gather evidence.
The investigation team will document the scene, interview the flight crew and other relevant personnel, and retrieve data from the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, commonly known as the “black box.”
These recordings are expected to provide critical insight into what happened during the flight.
NCAA, Arik Air To Cooperate
The Bureau also confirmed that it is working closely with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Arik Air management, and other stakeholders in the aviation sector to determine the sequence of events that led to the incident.
Speaking on the development, the NSIB assured Nigerians that passenger safety remains the top priority. “The safety of passengers, crew, and the general public is our highest concern,” the agency said, adding that more updates would be shared as the investigation progresses.
A preliminary report on the incident is expected within 30 days, while a final report will be released after the full investigation is concluded.
Growing Attention on Aviation Safety
The incident has once again drawn attention to aviation safety in Nigeria, especially as domestic air travel continues to increase. Industry experts often note that modern aircraft are designed to safely fly and land even with one engine shut down, which appears to be the case in this situation.
Passengers on board the flight were said to have remained calm as the crew handled the situation professionally. Aviation analysts say the quick decision by the pilots to divert likely prevented a more serious situation.
Arik Air has not yet released a detailed public statement about the incident at the time of filing this report, but the airline is expected to cooperate fully with investigators.
For now, authorities are urging the public not to speculate until the investigation is completed. Anyone with useful information related to the incident has been encouraged to contact the NSIB through its official communication channels.
The safe landing in Benin offers some relief, but aviation authorities say the focus now is to understand exactly what caused the engine problem and ensure measures are in place to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.
More updates are expected in the coming weeks as the investigation continues.
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