On February 11, 2026, an Arik Air Boeing 737-700, intended for a quick hop from Lagos to Port Harcourt, unexpectedly transformed into an in-flight horror show for about 80 passengers and crew.

The jet's left engine made a loud bang just minutes after takeoff. Cue the gasps, the prayers, and the tight armrests. But instead of panic, the cockpit delivered pure professionalism—engine secured, checklist ticked, calm voices on the radio.

Rather than pushing on, the crew made a smart detour to Benin Airport, turning a potential disaster into a textbook emergency landing.

The crew put the wheels down, engaged the brakes, and ensured everyone's safety.

But thanks to the swift actions of the pilots and cabin crew, everyone disembarked safely with no injuries reported.

The aircraft, registration 5N-MJF, operating as flight W3-740, had departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and was on descent toward Port Harcourt International Airport when the incident unfolded.

According to Arik Air, the crew heard a "loud bang" from the left engine, followed by abnormal indications in the cockpit.

Deafening bang

A passenger who spoke to local media described the terrifying moment: “We were ascending steadily, and for a while, nothing felt out of place. Until it happened.” 

She recounted a sudden, deafening bang that sent the aircraft vibrating violently.

“I turned toward the window, and what I saw froze me. Panic erupted,” she said. "The cabin was filled with confusion, voices trembling, and cries of Jesus! echoing everywhere. In that moment, fear became a physical thing.”

Shredded engine cowling

Passengers captured chilling footage from their windows showing a shredded jet engine cowling, partially missing.

Videos later shared online revealed clear structural damage and burn marks along the aircraft’s body.

Amid the chaos, however, the flight crew remained calm.

The pilots immediately executed standard emergency procedures, shutting down the affected engine to prevent further danger and declaring an emergency.

They diverted to the nearest suitable airport—Benin—and carried out a controlled single-engine landing at about 8:05 am local time, after initiating descent around 7:38 am.

Cabin crew’s calm under pressure

The cabin crew played a critical role in containing panic when an engine anomaly disrupted the flight.

They delivered calm, clear instructions, secured the cabin, and prepared passengers for a possible rough landing—all while reassuring those visibly shaken.

Their composure kept hysteria at bay and allowed the pilots to concentrate fully on flying the aircraft safely.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) classified the incident as an “in-flight engine anomaly” and launched a full investigation.

Early findings revealed major damage to the affected engine, including a missing inlet and severely torn cowlings.

Investigators were dispatched to Benin to secure the aircraft, interview the crew and witnesses, and retrieve data from the flight data and cockpit voice recorders.

Crew hailed for professionalism

Arik Air praised the crew for following established safety protocols, stressing that passenger safety remains its highest priority. 

The incident underscores how swiftly routine flights can turn critical—and how trained professionals can prevent disaster.

Source: Gulf News