The survival of all 87 occupants during an engine failure involving a Boeing 737-700 operated by Arik Air has been attributed to the aircraft’s structural integrity and decisive crew response. Preliminary findings from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) indicate that the February 11, 2026 incident remained survivable because the fuselage stayed intact and the cabin retained a livable space despite extensive engine damage.
Investigators say restraint systems functioned properly, and no fire occurred during or after the emergency landing. Therefore, passengers and crew were able to disembark normally after the aircraft diverted safely. The engine failure occurred during a scheduled domestic flight from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo International Airport, Port Harcourt.
The aircraft, registered 5N-MJF, departed Lagos at about 07:24 a.m. with seven crew members and 80 passengers. The flight climbed normally for about eleven minutes before the emergency unfolded.
Engine Failure Triggers Mid-Air Emergency
According to investigators, the first sign of trouble emerged shortly after take-off. The lead cabin crew reported a hissing sound near the L1 passenger door. The pilots initially believed the noise came from the door seal and expected it to fade.
However, the situation escalated at about 07:35 a.m. while the aircraft climbed through Flight Level 260 toward FL290. A loud bang was heard, followed by violent vibration and grinding noise from the left engine. The aircraft then began drifting slightly left and losing speed, although it maintained its climb attitude.
At the time, the autopilot was engaged in vertical and lateral navigation modes. The crew immediately disconnected it and manually stabilised the aircraft. After reviewing engine parameters, the pilots confirmed severe damage to the No.1 engine and initiated the shutdown procedure in accordance with the airline’s emergency handbook.
Mayday Call and Diversion to Benin
The pilots quickly declared a Mayday emergency and contacted air traffic control. Although they initially considered returning to Lagos, controllers recommended diverting to Benin Airport, which was closer.
The crew accepted the advice and began preparations for an emergency diversion. Control of the aircraft was transferred from the First Officer, who had been flying, to the captain as the situation intensified. Meanwhile, air traffic controllers vectored the aircraft toward Benin while the crew monitored the aircraft’s performance on the remaining engine.
The lead cabin crew was summoned to the cockpit and briefed on the engine failure and diversion. She was told the aircraft had approximately fourteen minutes before landing. Cabin crew then briefed passengers, demonstrated safety procedures and secured the cabin for a precautionary landing.
Controlled Approach and Safe Landing
As the aircraft approached Benin, the crew performed an orbit at about 5,000 feet. This manoeuvre allowed them to lose altitude and complete emergency
checklists before the final approach.Meanwhile, concerns about low-speed handling prompted the captain to ask the lead cabin crew to visually check parts of the aircraft’s control surfaces for damage. The inspection helped the crew confirm that the aircraft remained controllable.
At 08:06 a.m., the aircraft landed safely on Runway 23 at Benin Airport. The landing proceeded normally with thrust reverser deployment and auto-brake assistance. The aircraft stopped before the runway end and taxied to the apron.
All passengers and crew disembarked safely and no injuries were reported.
Initial Investigation Findings
Preliminary findings confirm that both pilots were properly licensed to conduct the flight and the aircraft held a valid Certificate of Airworthiness. Investigators also established that the First Officer was the Pilot Flying while the captain served as Pilot Monitoring when the engine failure occurred.
The investigation revealed that one fan blade from the No.1 engine was missing after landing. Maintenance records show the engine had previously operated on another aircraft before being leased to Arik Air and installed on the incident aircraft in November 2022.
In addition, ultrasonic inspection of the engine fan blades was carried out in March 2025. The maintenance report indicated that no defects were detected at the time.
Extensive Engine and Airframe Damage
Post-incident inspection revealed extensive damage to the engine and surrounding aircraft structure. Investigators reported that the engine inlet cowling was missing while one fan blade had broken off completely.
The remaining 23 fan blades were chipped or damaged. The containment case also showed deep cuts and visible cracks. Several internal components, including outlet guide vanes and the engine-driven pump, were also damaged.
Damage extended beyond the engine. Investigators observed dents and punctures on the airframe, cuts on the left wing leading edge and damage to sections of the horizontal and vertical stabilisers. However, the aircraft’s main structural integrity remained intact, preventing a catastrophic outcome.
Flight Recorders Retrieved
Investigators recovered both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder at Benin Airport. The devices were later downloaded at the Transport Safety Laboratory in Abuja for analysis.
The bureau says the recorder data will provide further insight into the sequence of events that led to the engine failure.
Investigation Continues
The NSIB says further work will focus on metallurgical examination of the broken fan blade and inspection of the remaining blades. Engineers will also conduct a full teardown of the damaged engine.
The bureau emphasised that the preliminary report presents only initial facts. Therefore, the final cause of the engine failure will be determined in the investigation’s final report.
