On Feb 11th 2026, an Arik Air Boeing 737-700, registration 5N-MJF, diverted to Benin City after a loud bang and abnormal engine indications during climb.
Flight W3-740 had departed Lagos for Port Harcourt with 80 people on board and was climbing through FL270 when the crew heard a loud bang from the left-hand CFM International CFM56 engine. The event was followed by abnormal engine readings, prompting the pilots to shut the engine down in accordance with standard procedures.
The crew elected to divert to Benin City, the nearest suitable airport. The aircraft landed safely on runway 23 approximately 25 minutes after the shutdown. All passengers and crew disembarked normally, and no injuries were reported.
Nigeria’s Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) opened an investigation into the occurrence, initially noting that the engine had sustained substantial damage. On Feb 18th 2026, the NSIB stated that during the cruise phase of flight, the crew detected abnormal indications on one engine and carried out a precautionary shutdown before diverting. Preliminary visual assessments at Benin indicated significant damage to the affected engine.
Modern twin-engine jets such as the 737 are certified to continue safe flight on a single engine, and flight crews are extensively trained for such scenarios. The safe diversion underscores established procedures designed to manage in-flight engine failures while maintaining control and passenger safety.
