Arik Air Flight Makes Dramatic Emergency Landing in Benin After Mid-Air Engine Explosion – All 80 On Board Safe

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a heart-stopping incident that underscored both the perils of air travel and the skill of professional crews, an Arik Air Boeing 737-700 made a safe emergency diversion to Benin Airport today after a loud bang signaled a serious failure in one of its engines.

The aircraft, registered 5N-MJF and operating as flight W3-740 from Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport, was descending toward its destination when the crew detected abnormal indications and heard a resounding bang from the left engine.

Acting swiftly in line with standard emergency protocols, the pilots conducted a precautionary engine shutdown and diverted to the nearest suitable airport—Benin—where the plane landed without further incident.

All 80 passengers and crew members disembarked normally, with no injuries reported. Arik Air confirmed that arrangements were immediately made to transport the affected passengers to their final destination in Port Harcourt.

In an official statement, the airline expressed regret for the disruption while emphasizing that passenger safety remains its top priority.

Dramatic photos circulating on social media and shared by aviation observers reveal extensive damage to the engine nacelle, with the cowling torn open and peeled back—an indication of a potentially uncontained engine failure. Preliminary visual assessments by authorities have confirmed significant structural damage to the affected engine.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched a formal probe into the incident. NSIB Director of Public Affairs Bimbo Oladeji stated that the bureau is examining the circumstances surrounding the in-flight anomaly to determine the root cause and prevent future occurrences.

The event has once again highlighted the critical importance of rigorous maintenance and crew training in Nigeria’s aviation sector. While today’s outcome was fortunate averting what could have been a far more serious situation it serves as a reminder of the razor-thin margin between routine flights and emergencies in the skies.

Arik Air has yet to release further details on the aircraft’s maintenance history or the specific nature of the engine issue, pending the ongoing NSIB investigation.

Passengers and observers alike have praised the flight crew’s calm professionalism in handling the crisis, turning a potential tragedy into a testament to aviation safety procedures.