Arik Air Boeing 737-7GL Diverts to Benin After Major Engine Anomaly
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience.
Arik Air's Boeing 737-7GL diverted to Benin after an engine anomaly on February 11, 2026; NSIB has launched a safety probe into the significant damage.
Key Takeaways
- •Arik Air flight W3 740 diverted to Benin after a loud bang and engine anomaly.
- •All 80 passengers and crew disembarked safely with no reported injuries.
- •NSIB investigators confirmed significant damage to the Boeing 737-7GL engine.
- •A preliminary safety report will be released by the NSIB within 30 days.
An Arik Air flight made a safe diversion on Wednesday.
The Boeing 737-7GL was flying from Lagos to Port Harcourt.
During the flight, the crew noticed an engine anomaly.
They heard a loud bang from the left engine.
This happened while the aircraft was descending.
The pilots followed standard safety protocols immediately.
They performed a precautionary engine shutdown in flight.
The crew then diverted to Benin Airport.
Incident Details and Response
The aircraft involved carries the registration 5N-MJF.
It was operating as flight W3 740.
There were 80 passengers and crew on board.
The plane landed safely at Benin Airport.
All passengers disembarked the aircraft without any injuries.
Arik Air apologized for the travel disruption.
They arranged new transport for the affected passengers.
NSIB Launches Safety Investigation
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed the event.
Initial visual checks show significant engine damage.
Investigators are now on-site at Benin Airport.
They will secure the flight data recorder.
They will also interview the flight crew.
The probe follows ICAO Annex 13 international standards.
A preliminary report is expected within 30 days.
Impact on Aviation Safety
This incident shows the value of training.
The crew managed the engine failure professionally.
Regulators will look for the root cause.
They want to prevent similar engine issues.
The NSIB is working with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
They aim to ensure fleet integrity for Arik Air.
Safety remains the top priority for all stakeholders.
- Flight Number: W3 740
- Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-7GL
- Registration: 5N-MJF
- Diversion Point: Benin Airport (BNI)
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Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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