Cessna 500 Returns to Valencia After Engine RPM Fluctuation (YV3030)

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On 23 February 2022 at 19:00 UTC, a Cessna Aircraft Company Cessna 500, registration YV3030, serial number 500-0074, operated by Transporte Radi, C.A., began its takeoff roll from Arturo Michelena International Airport (SVVA) in Valencia, Carabobo State, Venezuela. The flight was planned for Mayor Buenaventura Vivas Guerrero International Airport (SVSO) in Santo Domingo del Táchira, Táchira State, with an estimated en-route time of 1 hour 10 minutes. The aircraft carried six people: a pilot, a co-pilot, and four passengers. It had 35,000 pounds of fuel and a stated endurance of four hours. The aircraft was certified under FAA Type Certificate A22CE6 and was airworthy under Airworthiness Certificate No. 014032. It was a two-engine turbofan with Pratt & Whitney JT15D-1A engines, each producing a maximum of 2,200 pounds of thrust. The aircraft had a wingspan of 14.3 meters (47.4 feet) and a maximum takeoff weight of 4,925 kilograms (10,850 pounds). It was used for commercial passenger transport under general aviation corporate operations. ## Crew and Operational Context The pilot in command was 38 years old and held a commercial pilot license for airplanes, instrument rating, and single-engine land ratings, all issued by the Instituto Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil (INAC). The pilot had 767 hours as pilot in command on the Cessna 500 and 1,528 total hours. The co-pilot was 46 years old and held a commercial pilot license for airplanes, instrument rating, and multi-engine land ratings, with 950 total hours. Weather conditions at Arturo Michelena International Airport were reported as unlimited visibility and generally good throughout the day. ## Event Sequence and Outcome During the climb to the assigned cruising level of FL260, the pilot observed a fluctuation in the rotational speed (RPM) indication of the N1 (fan) on the right engine. The pilot in command decided to return to the departure airport and notified the approach control at Base Aérea El Libertador (APP-SVBL) that the destination was being cancelled and the aircraft was proceeding to Valencia (SVVA). The pilot reduced the power on the right engine without shutting it down. The aircraft landed without incident. All passengers were unharmed, and the aircraft sustained no damage. The incident was classified as SCF-PP. ## Investigation Status The investigation included interviews with the pilot and co-pilot, collection of crew documentation, operator records, maintenance records from OMAC-N 223 Leader Air Service, C.A., and air traffic services documentation. The investigation was in the process of analyzing technical, operational, and documentary information, with engine inspection pending to determine the root cause. All times in the report are in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), with Venezuela at UTC-4:00.