By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed that an Arik Air Boeing 737-7GL aircraft, registered 5N-MJF, en route from Lagos to Port Harcourt on Wednesday, diverted to Benin Airport after experiencing an in-flight engine anomaly during the cruise phase of the flight. The incident occurred mid-air, prompting the crew to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew on board.According to a statement released by the NSIB, the flight crew observed abnormal indications on one of the aircraft’s engines while cruising. In line with established aviation safety procedures, the pilots carried out a precautionary shutdown of the affected engine and initiated a diversion to the nearest suitable airport, which was Benin.The aircraft landed safely without further incident, and all passengers and crew members disembarked normally. No injuries were reported.Preliminary findings at Benin Airport revealed significant visible damage to the affected engine based on an initial assessment. Further investigations are expected to determine the exact cause of the anomaly.
