Incident Overview
On March 20, 2025, a Douglas DC-9-83 aircraft, registration YV3465, operated by LASER Airlines (Línea Aérea de Servicio Regional, C.A.), experienced a wildlife strike during landing at General José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport (SVBC) in Barcelona, Venezuela. The flight originated from Simón Bolívar International Airport (SVMI) in Maiquetía, Venezuela, with 28 passengers and six crew members onboard.
According to the investigation report released by the Junta Investigadora de Accidentes e Incidentes de Aviación Civil (JIAAC), the flight proceeded normally until the final approach to runway 15. After being cleared to land, during the landing flare and rollout with reversers deployed at an approximate speed of 110 knots, the captain observed two deer crossing the runway ahead of the aircraft. The flight crew did not feel or hear any impact or unusual aircraft movement and continued normal braking. After exiting the runway, the captain notified air traffic control of a possible deer strike and requested a runway inspection. Once parked and after passenger disembarkation, the crew informed maintenance technicians, who conducted an inspection.
Investigation Findings
The inspection revealed damage to the right main landing gear and a hydraulic fluid leak. The hydraulic line of band #4 was replaced per AMM 20-12-01 page 205, and the Rachet Quick Disconnect connection was replaced per AMM 20-12-01 page 206, item C. A leak check was performed, and the aircraft was returned to service.
At the time of the incident, the aircraft had a valid airworthiness certificate issued by the National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC) and was maintained by OMAC No. 475 (LASER Airlines) at José Antonio Anzoátegui Airport. The 38-year-old captain held an Airline Transport Pilot License with MD80 PIC type rating and a valid medical certificate. The 27-year-old first officer held a Commercial Pilot License with MD80 SIC type rating and English proficiency level 5, along with a valid medical certificate.
Weather conditions were reported as unlimited visibility and generally good weather throughout the day.
Preventive Measures
Based on the findings and preliminary evidence, the JIAAC issued several preventive measures aimed at reducing wildlife hazards at the airport:
- Implementation of new capture, relocation, or dispersal methods for wild and domestic fauna, based on studies by the Ministry of Ecosocialism (MINEC).
- Inspection patrols before aircraft arrivals and departures during sunrise and sunset hours.
- Periodic grass and weed cutting.
- Maintenance of unpaved areas adjacent to runways, taxiways, and aprons as per maintenance programs.
- Maintenance of drainage channels and ditches within unpaved areas.
- Installation of missing perimeter fencing along the southern area of the airport and the adjacent Air Base perimeter.
- Maintenance of existing perimeter fencing.
The investigation was closed with the issuance of this report.