Plane crash averted as Arik Air makes emergency landing at Benin Airport
A potentially catastrophic aviation incident was narrowly averted on Wednesday when an Arik Air flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Benin Airport after experiencing a suspected engine failure mid-air, according to official statements and aviation authorities. All 80 passengers and crew aboard the Boeing 737-700 escaped without injury when the pilot diverted the flight en route to Port Harcourt as a precautionary safety measure. 
The flight, operating as W3 740, departed from Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, and was en route to Port Harcourt International Airport (Omagwa) when the aircraft crew heard a loud bang from the left engine while descending into Port Harcourt. In line with international safety procedures, the flight crew shut down the affected engine and elected to divert to the nearest suitable airport, which was Benin Airport in Edo State. 
Emergency Landing and Passenger Safety
Arik Air’s spokesperson, Adebanjo Ola, confirmed in a statement that the aircraft, bearing registration 5N-MJF, made a safe emergency diversion and landing at Benin Airport. All 80 passengers and flight crew were evacuated without incident, and there were no reported injuries. The airline immediately acted to arrange onward transport for affected travellers to their original destination in Port Harcourt. 
“The aircraft was on its descent to Port Harcourt when the operating crew heard a loud bang on the left engine,” Mr Ola said. “As a precautionary measure, the crew made a safe diversion to Benin.” He emphasised that the safety and well-being of passengers remain the airline’s highest priority. 
Officials from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) said preliminary visual inspection at Benin Airport showed significant engine damage. While the agency has launched a formal investigation, initial findings suggest that the abnormal engine noise and subsequent procedures were handled correctly, preventing what could have been a severe incident. 
“The flight crew observed abnormal indications on one of the engines and, in line with standard safety protocols, carried out a precautionary engine shutdown before diverting to the nearest suitable airport,” an NSIB spokesperson said, underscoring the technical nature of the incident. 
What Happened Mid-Flight?
While details are still emerging, multiple eyewitness and aviation monitoring sources indicate that the incident was triggered by an engine anomaly — the loud bang heard by the crew — which likely represented a mechanical fault or component failure that could have posed a risk if not addressed promptly. 
Flight diversions following engine defects are unusual but not unheard of in commercial aviation. Standard operating procedures require pilots to land at the nearest suitable airport if an engine shows faults or behaves unpredictably during a flight. In this case, Benin Airport was judged by the crew as the safest option for an unscheduled landing. 
After landing, passengers and crew were safely disembarked, and local airport emergency services stood by as investigators and technicians began preliminary inspections of the aircraft. “No injuries have been reported,” NSIB officials reiterated, highlighting that the diversion and evacuation were conducted without panic or injury.
https://ogelenews.ng/plane-crash-averted-arik-air-emergency-landing-beni…
Aviation Safety and Passenger Confidence
Aviation experts say that the successful diversion and safe landing demonstrate the strength of piloting standards and safety oversight in Nigeria’s civil aviation sector. Pilots are trained to respond to engine anomalies, prioritize passenger safety and implement emergency procedures when necessary. In the event of abnormal engine readings, precautionary shutdowns and strategic landings reduce the risk of more serious incidents. 
“The pilots followed laid-down safety procedures immediately after identifying the issue,” the NSIB statement said, reflecting adherence to global civil aviation safety principles. 
Even in situations where engines sustain problems mid-air, modern aircraft like the Boeing 737 are designed to operate on one engine if required, giving flight crews time to make safe diversions and landings when necessary. This redundancy and emphasis on procedural discipline help prevent fatal outcomes. 
Passenger Experience and Reactions
Passengers, while shaken, expressed relief at the safe outcome. “There was a moment of tension, but the crew handled it professionally,” one traveller told reporters after disembarking. “We are grateful to be safe and thankful for how the situation was managed.” 
Travel disruptions are inevitable in such situations, but Arik Air’s swift arrangements to transport passengers to their final destination underscored a commitment to customer care even under challenging circumstances. 
NSIB Investigation and Next Steps
The NSIB has initiated a full investigation under its statutory authority, which includes collecting flight data recorders, interviewing crew and reviewing maintenance records to establish the root cause of the engine malfunction. The agency stressed that such investigations are technical and comprehensive, often taking weeks to conclude. 
Early insights from the preliminary inspection point to significant damage to the left engine, but investigators will assess whether this was due to mechanical fatigue, foreign object ingestion, material failure or another operational factor. Once the investigation concludes, a public report will be issued detailing findings and recommendations to prevent similar incidents. 
Implications for Aviation in Nigeria
This incident comes amid ongoing discussions about safety and maintenance standards in Nigeria’s aviation industry. While incidents are rare, they highlight the importance of rigorous inspection regimes, pilot training and regulatory oversight. Authorities say that safe handling of such mid-flight anomalies is part of global aviation safety culture. 
For travellers, the successful diversion demonstrates that well-trained crews and sound regulatory frameworks can prevent tragedies even when in-flight problems arise. The absence of injuries should reassure passengers that domestic air travel in Nigeria maintains strong safety protocols. 
https://punchng.com/arik-air-plane-makes-emergency-landing-in-benin-80-escape-unhurt
Plane crash averted as Arik Air makes emergency landing at Benin Airport
