Smoke in Cockpit During Climb: LASER DC-9 Returns to Maiquetía (YV2923)

Incident Overview On 21 February 2026 at 13:25 UTC, a Douglas Aircraft Company DC-9-82, registration YV2923, serial number 49563, owned by Línea Aérea de Servicio Regional (LASER), C.A., departed from Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, Venezuela, bound for Hato Airport in Curaçao (TNCC). The aircraft carried six crew members and 95 passengers. ## In-Flight Event During the initial climb immediately after takeoff, the flight crew reported smoke and a burnt odor in both the cockpit and passenger cabin. The captain followed the applicable quick reference handbook (QRH) procedures and notified Maiquetía Approach Control, deciding to return to the departure airport as a precaution. The smoke dissipated quickly, and the situation was described as controlled. The aircraft landed under normal conditions. All crew and passengers were unharmed, and the aircraft sustained no structural damage. ## Aircraft and Maintenance The aircraft was a narrow-body, twin-engine, medium-range jet equipped with Pratt & Whitney JT8D-217 turbofan engines. The maximum takeoff weight was 67,800 kg (149,500 lb). At the time of the event, the aircraft held valid registration, airworthiness, acoustic certification, and radio station license issued by Venezuela’s INAC. Maintenance records indicated the aircraft was airworthy, and its insurance was current. The last scheduled maintenance was performed by OMAC N° 475, LASER’s maintenance organization, at Simón Bolívar International Airport. ## Crew Qualifications The pilot-in-command, aged 50, held a valid medical certificate, license, and ratings issued by INAC, including instrument flight and MD80 captain ratings. The first officer, aged 37, also held valid credentials, including instrument flight and MD80 first officer ratings. ## Investigation Findings Investigators interviewed the crew and collected identity documents, licenses, medical certificates, flight logs, and flight plans. They also obtained the aircraft’s registration, airworthiness, radio license, insurance, and acoustic certification documents, as well as maintenance organization records. Technical troubleshooting included inspections of the APU, air conditioning modules, electrical/electronic compartment, and ballasts, with no evidence of fluid leaks or smoke odor. Passenger cabin fluorescent lamps were tested and found in good condition. Coalescer bags on both sides were replaced. A borescope inspection of the right-hand engine (Pratt & Whitney JT8D-217A, serial 717490) revealed material loss on a T1 blade. The right-hand engine was removed and replaced with a serviceable engine (JT8D-217C/219, serial P718099D). A subsequent check did not respond to power parameters. The investigation was still in the technical, operational, and documentary analysis phase, with the final report pending. Manufacturer inspection results were awaited to determine the root cause. ## Notifications In accordance with ICAO Annex 13, the event was reported to the ICAO ADREP system and the United States was notified as the state of design and manufacture. The United States responded by assigning an accredited representative.