AN Arik Air Boeing 737-700 New Generation (NG) aircraft operating flight W3 596 from Owerri to Lagos yesterday had a bird strike on Engine 2 shortly after take-off from Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri.
This became apparent during the flight and necessitated the shutdown of Engine 2 by the flight commander, who piloted the aircraft to Lagos and then declared an emergency landing at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.
The aircraft, however, landed safely with no injury to the 69 passengers on board.
This is fourth bird strike incident experienced by the airline in 2011.
