A Boeing 737 aircraft experienced a severe engine malfunction mid-flight, leading to a loud explosion in the cabin. The incident occurred during an Arik Air flight W3740 from Lagos to Port Harcourt. Passengers onboard reported a startling noise from the left wing of the plane as the engine suffered significant damage, exposing internal components.
With 80 passengers onboard, the flight made an emergency diversion to Benin Airport following the alarming engine failure. The pilots, upon detecting abnormal engine readings and feeling the impact, promptly shut down the affected engine as per safety protocols.
The aircraft successfully landed at Benin Airport without any injuries to passengers or crew members around 10:30 am local time. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has initiated an investigation into the incident, confirming the substantial damage to the engine.
Arik Air officials reassured that all passengers were safely disembarked and arrangements were made to transport them to their final destination. The affected Port Harcourt passengers were apologized to for the disruption, with the airline emphasizing passenger safety as a top priority.
The airline stated that no injuries occurred during the incident and reiterated their commitment to passenger well-being.
