Boeing 737-200 Flap Asymmetry Incident at Maiquetía (YV380T)

Incident Overview On 2 February 2020 at 12:55 UTC, a Boeing 737-200 with registration YV380T, serial number 22127, and operated by Rutas Aéreas, C.A. (Rutaca), began its takeoff roll from Simón Bolívar International Airport (SVMI) in Maiquetía, Venezuela, bound for General Santiago Mariño International Airport (SVMG) in El Yaque, Nueva Esparta. The aircraft carried 71 people: a pilot, a co-pilot, eight cabin crew members, and 63 passengers. The planned en-route time was 40 minutes, with 25,080 pounds of fuel and four hours of endurance. ## In-Flight Event At 13:08 UTC, during initial climb and reaching 11,000 feet, the cabin crew observed an asymmetry in the flaps while they were being retracted. The flight crew decided to return to SVMI and followed the applicable Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) procedures. They also requested fire services at the end of runway 10 due to the possibility of brake overheating from a high-speed landing. The aircraft entered a holding pattern to reduce fuel weight and then landed at SVMI without further incident. All occupants were unharmed, and the aircraft retained the reported flap fault. ## Aircraft and Maintenance The aircraft was a commercial transport Boeing 737-200, type certificate A16WE2 issued by the FAA, with a capacity of 266 seats. It was equipped with retractable landing gear and two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-17 turbofan engines, each with a maximum thrust of 20,850 pounds. Its wingspan was 32.8 meters (107.6 feet), and its maximum takeoff weight was 52,390 kilograms. The aircraft was airworthy under airworthiness certificate number 012449. The last scheduled and preventive maintenance was performed by OMAC No. 038, Taller Aeronáutico Mares, S.R.L., at Simón Bolívar International Airport. ## Crew and Weather The pilot in command, aged 32, held a valid medical certificate and air transport pilot license issued by INAC, with instrument rating, B732/B733 captain/PIC ratings, and ICAO English level 5. He had 3,100 total flight hours and 1,200 hours on the aircraft type. The first officer, aged 39, held a valid medical certificate and commercial pilot license, with instrument rating, B732 co-pilot/SIC rating, and ICAO English level 4. Meteorological conditions at departure and destination were unlimited and favorable. ## Investigation and Corrective Actions The investigation included interviews with the pilot and co-pilot, collection of crew and operator documentation, and review of maintenance records from OMAC No. 038. A maintenance inspection was conducted in response to the reported flap fault at 11,000 feet (slip number 076646). This included inspection of the lower line of the rear spar and troubleshooting per AMM 27-58-01/101, followed by component repair and satisfactory testing. ## Preventive Measures The JIAAC recommended that Rutaca perform maintenance in accordance with the manual procedures for the branches and fixing points of the entire electrical system of the fleet, and implement an effective procedure to verify the adjustment status of the steering system.