The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released a preliminary report detailing extensive damage to an Arik Air aircraft following an in-flight engine anomaly.
On February 11, an Arik Air Boeing 737-700 aircraft
operating Lagos to Port Harcourt flight diverted to Benin airport after the
crew “heard a loud bang from the left engine”.
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.
NSIB said the engine inlet cowling was missing, while the
number six fan blade of engine had broken off with only the root remaining
attached.
“The remaining 23 fan blades were all chipped off and
damaged; inboard and outboard engine cowling covers were folded upward,
exposing the engine accessories; the engine-driven pump (EDP) clamp was found
loose,” the report said.
“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.
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.
“There were dents and punctures at various locations on the
airframe, damage to the inner and outer thrust reversers, there were cuts on
the Left wing leading edge, the left-wing air conditioning bay fairing was
damaged,” the NSIB added.
The bureau said more damage was recorded on the left
horizontal stabiliser leading edge and the upper surface of the stabiliser,
which had large cuts.
The report also showed that the vertical stabiliser leading
edge and the rudder surface were also damaged.
‘AIRCRAFT SUBSTANTIALLY 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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