NSIB RELEASES PRELIMINARY FINDINGS ON ARIK AIR INCIDENT, SAYS FLIGHT CREW TESTED NEGATIVE TO DRUG
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The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has shared a first look at the damage done to an Arik Air plane during a flight.
On February 11, a Boeing 737-700 plane from Arik Air was flying from Lagos to Port Harcourt when the crew heard a loud noise coming from the left engine.
Because of this, the plane was rerouted to Benin airport.
The aircraft, operating flight W3-740 with registration 5N-MJF, was descending into Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the incident occurred.
The aircraft had seven crew members and 80 passengers on board, bringing the total number of occupants to 87.
According to the report, the aircraft was climbing from flight level (FL) 260 to FL 290 when the crew heard a loud bang followed by excessive vibration from the number one (left) engine.
A post-occurrence inspection conducted by NSIB on the aircraft on the apron at Benin airport revealed significant damage to the engine and other parts of the aircraft.
“A deep cut about 0.6 inches long on the containment case was observed at the 2 o’clock position; a long, deep cut about 7.2 inches on the containment case was observed at the 1 o’clock position; cracks were observed on the exterior of the engine case containment.”
The NSIB said the outlet guide vanes (OGV) at the five, six and seven o’clock positions were missing, while the engine-driven pump and exhaust assembly sustained visible damage.
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The bureau also found that the engine oil tank filler cap was missing and the anti-ice duct was broken, with part of it missing.
Other affected components included the left–hand vortex generator and the integrated drive generator (IDG) oil cooler, according to the bureau.
“The report noted dents and punctures at various locations on the airframe, damage to the inner and outer thrust reversers, cuts on the left wing leading edge, and damage to the left–wing air conditioning bay fairing,” the NSIB added.
The bureau stated that further damage was observed on the left horizontal stabiliser leading edge and the upper surface of the stabiliser, which had large cuts.
The report also indicated that the vertical stabiliser leading edge and the rudder surface were also damaged.
The report classified the aircraft as substantially damaged, noting that no injuries were recorded among the occupants.
Despite the incident, the NSIB said communication between air traffic control and the flight crew remained effective.
The bureau added that post-occurrence medical examinations were conducted on the flight crew, and they tested negative for alcohol, drugs, and other psychoactive substances.
The NSIB said further investigative actions will include metallurgical examinations of the broken number six engine fan blade root and the remaining 23 fan blades, as well as a teardown of the number one engine as part of the ongoing investigation.
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