NSIB Publishes Report On Arik , Air Mid-Air Engine Failure

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), on Friday attributed the survival of all 87 occupants aboard an Arik Air flight that suffered an engine failure to the aircraft’s structural integrity and the decisive response of the flight crew.

Preliminary findings released by the Bureau show that the February 11, 2026 incident remained survivable because the aircraft’s fuselage stayed intact and the cabin retained a livable space despite extensive engine damage.

Investigators also confirmed that the restraint systems functioned properly and that no fire occurred during or after the emergency landing. As a result, passengers and crew were able to disembark normally after the aircraft safely diverted.

The incident involved a Boeing 737-700 operating a scheduled domestic flight from Murtala Muhammed International Airport to Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo International Airport.

The aircraft, registered 5N-MJF, departed Lagos at about 7:24 a.m. carrying 80 passengers and seven crew members. The flight climbed normally for about 11 minutes before the emergency unfolded.

According to investigators, the first sign of trouble appeared shortly after take-off when the lead cabin crew reported a hissing sound near the L1 passenger door. The pilots initially suspected the noise was caused by a door seal and expected it to subside.

However, at about 7:35 a.m., while the aircraft was climbing through Flight Level 260 toward FL290, a loud bang was heard. The noise was followed by violent vibrations and grinding sounds from the left engine. The aircraft began drifting slightly to the 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 the system and manually stabilised the aircraft. After reviewing engine parameters, the pilots confirmed severe damage to the No.1 engine and initiated a shutdown procedure in line with the airline’s emergency handbook.

The pilots promptly declared a Mayday and contacted air traffic control. Although they initially considered returning to Lagos, controllers recommended a diversion to Benin Airport, which was closer.

The crew accepted the recommendation and began preparations for an emergency diversion.

As the situation intensified, control of the aircraft was transferred from the First Officer, who had been flying, to the captain. Air traffic controllers then vectored the aircraft toward Benin while the crew monitored performance on the remaining engine.

The lead cabin crew was called to the cockpit and informed of the engine failure and the diversion, with approximately 14 minutes remaining before landing. Cabin crew subsequently briefed passengers, demonstrated safety procedures and secured the cabin for a precautionary landing.

During the approach, the aircraft conducted an orbit at about 5,000 feet to lose altitude and allow the crew to complete emergency checklists.

Concerns about low-speed handling also prompted the captain to request a visual inspection of parts of the aircraft’s control surfaces by the lead cabin crew. The check helped confirm that the aircraft remained controllable.

At about 8:06 a.m., the aircraft landed safely on Runway 23 at Benin Airport. The landing proceeded normally with thrust reverser deployment and auto-brake assistance before the aircraft taxied to the apron.

All passengers and crew disembarked safely and no injuries were reported.

Preliminary findings confirmed that both pilots were properly licensed and that the aircraft had 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.

After landing, investigators discovered that one fan blade from the No.1 engine was missing. Maintenance records showed that the engine had previously operated on another aircraft before being leased to Arik Air and installed on the incident aircraft in November 2022.

Ultrasonic inspection of the engine fan blades was conducted in March 2025, with maintenance reports indicating that no defects were detected at the time.

Post-incident inspection revealed extensive damage to the engine and surrounding aircraft structure. Investigators reported that the engine inlet cowling was missing and that one fan blade had broken off completely.

The remaining 23 fan blades were chipped or damaged, while the containment case 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, with investigators observing 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.

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.

According to the Bureau, the recorder data will provide further insight into the sequence of events leading to the engine failure.

The NSIB said the next phase of the investigation will include a metallurgical examination of the broken fan blade and inspection of the remaining blades. Engineers will also carry out a full teardown of the damaged engine.

The Bureau emphasised that the preliminary report contains only initial findings, noting that the final cause of the engine failure will be determined in its final report.