On 3rd January, 2019 at about 10:10 h, a Boeing 737-500 aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-AIS operated by Azman Air Services Limited was on a scheduled commercial flight with a call sign AZM2316. AZM2316 departed Lagos for Port Harcourt on an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Flight Plan with 109 passengers, two flight crew and three cabin crew, endurance of three hours. The take-off and climb out phase was normal. The aircraft leveled off at a cruising altitude of 29,000 ft (FL 290). According to the flight crew, at some point during the cruise, about 20-25 minutes into the flight, they heard a loud bang which lasted for about 4-5 seconds followed by a yaw to the right.
At about 10:42 h, Port Harcourt Approach cleared the aircraft for a straight in approach on runway 21. Flap 15° selected, Localizer captured, Glideslope captured and the gears were selected to DOWN position. A loud bang was heard by the crew again and the A/P disengaged. The aircraft yawed to the right accompanied by severe vibration and also thrust asymmetry was noticed. However, the approach became unstable and the flight crew executed a Missed Approach at about 10:55 h.
However, the flight crew was able to land the aircraft safely on runway 21 after the third approach at about 11:35 h. After landing, the aircraft taxied to the apron, escorted by the ARFFS where the occupants disembarked normally without any injuries.
