Incident Overview
On January 23, 2026, at 22:07 UTC, a Douglas Aircraft Company DC-9-82 aircraft, registration YV670T, serial number 49919, operated by Línea Aérea de Servicio Regional (LASER), C.A., departed from Simón Bolívar International Airport (SVMI) in Maiquetía, Venezuela, on a scheduled flight to Rafael Núñez International Airport (SKCG) in Cartagena, Colombia. The aircraft carried 119 passengers and 7 crew members.
Sequence of Events
The flight proceeded normally during initial climb and reached its assigned cruising altitude of FL320. While over Maracaibo, the crew received a "RIGHT OIL PRESS LOW" warning accompanied by a MASTER CAUTION annunciation. Subsequently, the right engine oil pressure indication dropped to zero PSI and the oil temperature exceeded 120°C. The flight crew immediately executed the engine shutdown procedure as outlined in the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH). The captain declared an emergency to Cartagena Air Traffic Control and was cleared to return to Maracaibo, descending to FL230. After contacting Maracaibo approach control, the crew conducted an uneventful approach and landing.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft, a twin-engine commercial transport powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 turbofan engines, was airworthy at the time of the incident, with a valid certificate of airworthiness issued by the Venezuelan aeronautical authority (INAC). The last scheduled maintenance was performed by OMAC No. 475 – Laser Airlines, C.A. at José Antonio Anzoátegui Airport.
The captain, aged 56, held a valid Airline Transport Pilot License with MD80 captain type rating and instrument rating. The first officer, aged 54, held a Commercial Pilot License with MD80 co-pilot and instrument ratings. Both had current medical certificates.
Weather and Technical Findings
Meteorological conditions at the time were reported as unlimited visibility, calm wind, and generally good weather.
An investigation conducted by the Junta Investigadora de Accidentes (JIAAC) included crew interviews, document reviews, aircraft inspection, and troubleshooting per the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM). During removal and inspection of the right engine's main accessory gearbox, the oil pump was found to be defective. The gearbox was replaced in accordance with AMM 72-62-00, and an operational check of the right engine per AMM 71-00-00 confirmed parameters within limits.
Probable Cause
The Junta Investigadora de Accidentes determined that the probable cause of the incident was a failure of the oil pump in the main accessory gearbox of the right engine, which led to the activation of the "RIGHT OIL PRESS LOW" and MASTER CAUTION warnings, a drop in oil pressure to zero, and an oil temperature rise above 120°C.
Aftermath
The crew and passengers were unharmed. The aircraft sustained no damage beyond the reported engine anomaly. The investigation was closed on February 4, 2026.