Thursday, February 12, 2026 - An Arik Air Boeing 737 7GL aircraft made an emergency diversion to Benin Airport on Wednesday, Feb. 11, after experiencing an engine failure during a flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt.
The aircraft, registered 5N MJF and operating flight W3 740,
reportedly developed abnormal engine indications during the cruise phase.
Passengers also reported hearing a loud bang from the left
engine.
A statement from the Public Relations & Communications
Manager, Adebanji Ola, said that the loud bang heard on the left engine by the
crew of the flight W3 740, led to the diversion of the aircraft to Benin
airport.
According to the statement, the aircraft was on its decent
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.
He, however, said that there were no injuries to passengers
and crew as all 80 passengers on board were safely disembarked.
The statement added: “Arrangements have been made to
transport the affected passengers to their final destination.
“We sincerely apologise to the affected Port Harcourt
passengers whose journey has been disrupted. The safety and wellbeing of
passengers is always our priority at Arik Air.”
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has
commenced investigation into the incident.
The NSIB in a statement by its Director, Public Affairs and
Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji, said that the aircraft experienced an
“in-flight engine anomaly,” which prompted the pilot to divert the flight to
Benin Airport.
According to the statement, during the cruise phase of
flight, the crew detected abnormal indications on one of the engines and in
accordance with established safety procedures, the flight crew conducted a
precautionary engine shutdown and diverted to the nearest suitable airport,
which was Benin.
Oladeji explained that preliminary observations at the
diversion airport indicated a significant damage to the affected engine based
on initial visual assessment.
The statement added: “In line with its statutory mandate and
in accordance with international standards under the International Civil
Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 13 and applicable Nigerian civil aviation
regulations, the NSIB has commenced an investigation into the occurrence.
“A preliminary assessment team is en route to Benin to
secure the aircraft, document evidence, interview relevant personnel and
witnesses, and recover flight data and cockpit voice recorder
information.”
NSIB said it was working closely with the Nigeria Civil
Aviation Authority (NCAA), Arik Air and other relevant stakeholders to
determine the sequence of events and any contributing factors.
The bureau also said that a preliminary report would be
issued within 30 days in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 provisions, while a
final report would be published at the conclusion of the investigation.
See video below.
Frightening moment passengers break into prayer as plane makes emergency landing in Benin after suffering engine failure pic.twitter.com/kN4BLtreN5
— DAILY POST 🇳🇬 (@dailypost_ng) February 12, 2026
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