NSIB Releases Preliminary Report on Arik Air Incident

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) released a preliminary report regarding an incident involving a Boeing 737-700 aircraft, registered as 5N-MJF, operated by Arik Air Ltd. The incident occurred on February 11, 2026, during a scheduled passenger flight from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos to Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo International Airport in Port Harcourt.

The flight crew, led by Captain, reported hearing a loud bang and grinding noise followed by vibrations from engine number 1. They declared an emergency and diverted to Benin City Airport after discovering that a fan blade was missing from the engine upon landing.

The report indicated that the crew followed emergency procedures, and the aircraft landed safely with all occupants disembarking without injuries. The NSIB's preliminary findings included details of the flight crew's communication with air traffic control and initial examinations of the aircraft.

The report also noted that inspections of the engine had been conducted in accordance with relevant directives prior to the incident.