By Desire Emmanuel
An Arik Air Boeing 737-7GL aircraft operating a domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt experienced an engine issue on Wednesday, February 11, but diverted safely to Benin Airport, according to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
The NSIB in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, confirmed the development on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the flight crew detected abnormal indications on one of the engines during the cruise phase of the plane.
It added that following standard safety procedures, the crew conducted a precautionary engine shutdown and diverted to the nearest suitable airport, which is the Benin Airport.
The Bureau confirmed that the aircraft landed without incident, and all the 80 passengers and its crew disembarked without any casualty.
It added that preliminary observations at Benin Airport suggested significant damage to the affected engine, based on an initial visual assessment.
The NSIB said it has commenced investigation into the incident in line with its statutory mandate and international standards under ICAO Annex 13.
It said that 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.
The Bureau also disclosed that it is working closely with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Arik Air, and other stakeholders to determine the sequence of events and any contributing factors.
“The safety of passengers, crew, and the public remains our highest priority,” Mrs. Oladeji said in the statement.
She encouraged members of the public with relevant information to contact the Bureau through its official channels.
