23 plane elements broken in Arik Air engine failure — NSIB

The Nigerian Security Investigation Bureau has revealed that no less than 23 elements of the plane sustained injury following an irregular engine occasion mid-flight.

This was contained in a preliminary report on the incident involving a Boeing 737-700 operated by Arik Air,  made accessible to PidomNigeria On-line by the Director of Public Affairs and Household Assistant of the bureau, Mrs Funke Arowojobe, on Friday.

The affected plane, with nationality and registration marks 5N-MJF, was working a scheduled passenger flight from Murtala Muhammed Worldwide Airport to Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo Worldwide Airport on February 11, 2026, when the incident occurred.

Photographs of the incidents sighted by our correspondent confirmed critical impacts on the airplane.

Based on the report, the crew skilled an irregular engine occasion throughout the flight, prompting the pilots to provoke emergency procedures and divert to the closest airport in Benin Metropolis, the place the plane landed safely with out accidents to passengers or crew members.

The bureau acknowledged that the preliminary report incorporates data gathered so removed from a number of sources, together with flight crew accounts, air site visitors management communications, flight recorder knowledge and preliminary bodily examination of the plane.

Findings from the inspection revealed intensive injury to the plane’s engine and surrounding constructions, with the report documenting no fewer than 23 wreckage impacts affecting totally different elements.

Based on the report, the engine inlet cowling was lacking and the quantity six fan blade of the engine was damaged with the basis nonetheless connected.

The report famous that the remaining 23 fan blades have been chipped and broken, whereas each the inboard and outboard engine cowling covers have been folded upward, exposing the engine equipment.

Beneath the wreckage and influence data part of the studies, the Bureau listed the 23 impacts on the plane on account of the incident, together with: “Engine inlet cowling lacking; Quantity 6 fan blade of engine was damaged with the basis left connected.

“The remaining 23 fan blades have been all chipped off and broken; Inboard and outboard engine cowling covers have been folded upward, exposing the engine equipment; The engine-driven pump (EDP) clamp was discovered free; A deep lower about 0.6 inches lengthy on the containment case was noticed on the 2 o’clock place; A protracted, deep lower about 7.2 inches on the containment case was noticed on the 1 o’clock place.

“Cracks have been noticed on the outside of the engine case containment; The Outlet Information Vanes (OGV) at 5, 6, and seven o’clock positions have been lacking; the engine-driven pump sustained injury; there was seen injury on the exhaust meeting; The engine oil tank filler cap was lacking; the anti-ice duct was damaged, and a part of it was lacking; The left-hand vortex generator was broken; The Built-in Drive Generator (IDG) oil cooler was broken.

“There have been dents and punctures at varied areas on the airframe; Harm to the interior and outer thrust reversers; There have been cuts on the Left wing vanguard; the left-wing air con bay fairing was broken; The left horizontal stabilizer vanguard was broken; the higher floor of the horizontal stabilizer was broken, with giant cuts;  the vertical stabilizer vanguard was broken and  there was seen injury on the rudder floor.”

The investigation additionally revealed that the sixth fan blade of engine primary was lacking when the plane landed in Benin Metropolis.

Particulars contained within the report indicated that the flight crew have been correctly licensed to conduct the operation and the plane had a sound Certificates of Airworthiness on the time of the incident.

The First Officer served because the pilot flying, whereas the Captain acted because the pilot monitoring.

“Whereas climbing by means of FL 260 to FL 270, the flight crew heard a loud bang and grinding noise, adopted by vibrations from the No. 1 engine. The crew declared MAYDAY, known as Air Site visitors Management (ATC), and diverted to Benin Metropolis airport,” the report acknowledged.

The bureau additionally confirmed that communication between the flight crew and air site visitors controllers remained efficient all through the emergency.

Publish-incident assessments additional confirmed that the crew examined unfavourable for alcohol, medicine and different psychoactive substances as investigations into the reason for the incident proceed.