The Pathfinder
Wednesday February 11, 2026
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An Arik Air Boeing 737-700 aircraft operating a Lagos–Port Harcourt flight was forced to make an emergency diversion to Benin Airport on Wednesday following a major engine failure mid-air.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has since confirmed that the affected engine sustained “significant damage,” prompting a full-scale safety probe into the incident.
Flight W3 740, with registration number 5N-MJF, was descending toward the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the flight crew heard a “loud bang” emanating from the left engine.
In a statement, Arik Air spokesperson Adebanjo Ola explained that the crew immediately took precautionary measures to ensure the safety of those on board.
“The aircraft was on its descent to Port Harcourt when the operating crew heard a loud bang on the left engine. As a precautionary measure, the crew made a safe diversion to Benin,” Ola stated.
The airline confirmed that all 80 passengers and crew members on board were safely evacuated upon landing in Benin. No injuries were reported. Arik Air apologized for the disruption and noted that alternative arrangements were made to transport the stranded passengers to their final destination in Port Harcourt.
Confirming the anomaly, the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the NSIB, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, stated that abnormal indications were detected on one of the engines, leading to a “precautionary engine shutdown” before the diversion.
“In accordance with established safety procedures, the flight crew conducted a precautionary engine shutdown and diverted to the nearest suitable airport, Benin,” Oladeji said.
Preliminary visual assessments at the airport revealed “significant damage” to the engine. The NSIB has deployed a team to Benin to secure the aircraft and document physical evidence, interview the flight crew and witnesses, recover the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) for analysis.
The bureau stated that the investigation will follow International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, while a more detailed final report will be released upon the conclusion of the investigation.
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