Arik Air Boeing 737-700 Diverts After Major Mid-Flight Engine Failure

An Arik Air Boeing 737-700 was forced to make an emergency diversion on February 11, 2026. The aircraft suffered a major malfunction in its left engine while flying from Lagos to Port Harcourt.

Flight W3 740 was descending toward its destination when the crew heard a loud bang. Passengers also reported seeing smoke and damage to the engine casing. The pilots quickly followed safety protocols and shut down the affected engine.

Emergency Diversion to Benin Airport

The flight crew chose to divert to Benin Airport, which was the nearest suitable landing site. Despite the loss of power on one side, the Boeing 737-700 is designed to fly safely on a single engine.

The aircraft, registered as 5N-MJF, landed without further incident at approximately 10:30 AM local time. All 80 passengers and crew members disembarked safely on the tarmac. No injuries were reported during the event.

Investigation and Technical Findings

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched a full inquiry into the incident. Preliminary inspections revealed significant damage to the left engine. Photos from the scene show the outer cowling was torn, suggesting an uncontained engine failure.

Investigators are currently looking at the CFM56-7B engine, which is the standard powerplant for the Boeing 737 Next Generation series. They will review maintenance records and flight data to find the root cause.

Impact on Aviation Safety

This incident highlights the importance of pilot training and emergency readiness. The IATA and other global bodies emphasize that such malfunctions are rare but manageable.

• Arik Air confirmed that alternative travel was arranged for the stranded passengers.
• The airline is cooperating fully with the NSIB investigation.
• The aircraft remains grounded in Benin for further technical analysis.

Safety experts note that the crew's calm response prevented a more serious situation. The FAA and international regulators continue to monitor engine reliability across the global 737 fleet to ensure passenger safety.

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