The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has reported that an Arik Air Boeing 737-7GL, registration 5N-MJF, operating a scheduled domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt, experienced an in-flight engine problem on Wednesday but safely diverted to Benin Airport.

According to NSIB, the flight crew detected abnormal readings on one of the engines during the cruise phase and followed standard safety procedures by shutting down the affected engine and diverting to the nearest suitable airport.

“All passengers and crew disembarked normally, and no injuries have been reported,” NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, said in a statement.

Preliminary inspections at Benin Airport indicated significant damage to the affected engine, according to an initial visual assessment.

In line with its statutory mandate and international standards under ICAO Annex 13, NSIB has launched a formal investigation into the incident.

The bureau’s assessment team is en route to Benin Airport to secure the aircraft, document evidence, interview personnel and witnesses, and recover the flight data and cockpit voice recorders.

NSIB confirmed it is working closely with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Arik Air, and other relevant stakeholders to establish the sequence of events and contributing factors.

The investigation aims to determine the cause of the engine issue and ensure safety measures are reinforced to prevent similar occurrences.

Authorities emphasized that the prompt response by the flight crew helped avert a potential disaster, demonstrating adherence to established aviation safety protocols.

Further updates will be provided as NSIB progresses with its investigation and analysis of flight data.