Plane Crash Averted As Arik Air Makes Emergency Landing At Benin Airport

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

NSIB revealed this in a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji.

According to Oladeji, the flight crew detected abnormal indications on one of the engines during the cruise phase.

The statement added that following standard safety procedures, the crew conducted a precautionary engine shutdown and diverted to the nearest suitable airport.

The Bureau confirmed that the aircraft landed without incident, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally. No injuries have been reported.

“Preliminary observations at Benin Airport suggest significant damage to the affected engine, based on an initial visual assessment. In line with its statutory mandate and international standards under ICAO Annex 13, the NSIB said it has commenced an investigation.

“The 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 statement said.

The Bureau 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.

Stakeholders in the aviation sector have raised alarm at the increasing rate of plane crashes across the world, calling for improved safety measures to minimise plane crashes.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, there have been 1,091 aviation accidents so far in 2025. Of these, 200 were considered fatal accidents, and 891 were non-fatal.