By Chidi Ugwu
An Arik Air aircraft en route from Lagos to Port Harcourt was forced to make an emergency diversion to Benin on Tuesday after the crew detected a faulty engine mid-flight, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed.
In a statement on Wednesday, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, the Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, stated that the Boeing 737-7GL, with registration number 5N-MJF, had departed Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, on a scheduled domestic service when abnormal engine indications were observed during the cruise phase of the journey.
According to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the pilots promptly initiated safety procedures, shutting down the affected engine as a precaution before diverting the aircraft to the nearest suitable airport in Benin.
The plane landed safely without incident, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally. No injuries were reported.
Initial inspections at the Benin Airport reportedly revealed significant visible damage to the affected engine, raising concerns about the extent of the mechanical fault.
The NSIB said it has commenced a formal investigation into the incident in line with international aviation safety standards under ICAO Annex 13 and Nigeria’s civil aviation regulations.
A preliminary assessment team is being deployed to secure the aircraft, document evidence, interview crew members and witnesses, and retrieve both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder to determine the sequence of events.
The Bureau added that it is working closely with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Arik Air, and other stakeholders to establish the cause of the engine anomaly and identify any contributing factors.
A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, while a final report will be issued at the conclusion of the investigation.
“The safety of passengers, crew, and the public remains our highest priority,” the NSIB said, urging anyone with relevant information about the incident to come forward through official channels.
