The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has initiated an investigation into an incident involving an Arik Air flight that was forced to divert to Benin Airport while flying from Lagos to Port Harcourt.
The plane, a Boeing 737-7GL registered as 5N-MJF, was on a scheduled domestic route when the crew noticed irregular engine indications during the flight.
As reported by the safety bureau, the pilots detected abnormal readings from one of the engines during the cruise phase. Following standard aviation safety protocols, they executed a precautionary engine shutdown and chose to divert to the nearest suitable airport.
The aircraft safely landed at Benin without any complications, allowing all passengers and crew to disembark without incident, and no injuries were reported.
Preliminary inspections at the secondary airport revealed significant damage to the affected engine based on an initial visual examination.
The bureau released a statement through its spokesperson, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, indicating that a formal investigation is underway in line with its statutory responsibilities and international safety protocols established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13, alongside Nigerian civil aviation regulations.
A preliminary assessment team has been dispatched to Benin to secure the aircraft, gather evidence, interview the crew and witnesses, and recover the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder to ascertain the timeline of events and potential contributing factors.
Furthermore, the bureau is collaborating with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Arik Air, and other pertinent authorities during this inquiry.
A preliminary report is anticipated within 30 days, with the final report expected at the investigation's conclusion.
The NSIB has emphasized that the safety of passengers, crew, and the general public is its utmost priority, urging anyone who may have relevant information about the incident to reach out to the bureau via official channels.
The statement concluded with a reminder that a final report will be made public following the investigation's completion, reiterating, "Ensuring the safety of passengers, crew, and the public is our highest priority. The NSIB encourages the public to share any pertinent information regarding this occurrence. Updates will follow as additional details emerge."
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