Panic on Board as Arik Air Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Benin After Engine Explosion
An Arik Air Boeing 737-700 operating a Lagos–Port Harcourt flight on Wednesday made an emergency diversion to Benin Airport after the crew detected a loud bang from one of the aircraft’s engines.
The flight, with registration number 5N-MJF, was operating as W3 740 from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, to the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the incident occurred during descent into Port Harcourt.
According to the airline’s spokesperson, Adebanjo Ola, the operating crew heard a loud bang from the left engine while the aircraft was descending, prompting them to take precautionary measures.
“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,” he said.
The aircraft landed safely at Benin Airport, and all 80 passengers and crew members on board were evacuated without injuries.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) later confirmed the incident, describing it as involving “significant damage” to the affected engine.
No casualties were recorded, and further investigations into the cause of the engine damage are expected.