On October 16, 2008, a Boeing 737-200 (registration YV162T) operated by Rutaca - Rutas Aéreas was involved in an aviation accident near Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar, Venezuela during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft veered left during landing and exited the runway, causing the nose gear to detach. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Photo: San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
An aircraft veered off the runway during landing at Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar Airport, resulting in significant damage but no fatalities.
What happened
During the landing phase on runway 28R at Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar Airport, the aircraft experienced a leftward deviation from the centerline. This lateral movement continued until the plane exited the runway to the left side. As the aircraft moved off the paved surface, it descended a slope, which caused the nose landing gear to be completely detached from the airframe.
Despite the impact and the structural damage sustained, all 54 occupants were able to evacuate the aircraft without injury. The incident resulted in the aircraft being declared a total loss, as it was damaged beyond repair.
Findings
The aircraft departed the runway surface following a leftward deviation.
The descent down a slope led to the separation of the nose gear.
Probable cause
The aircraft veered left during landing and exited the runway, causing the nose gear to detach.
