Incident Overview
On March 17, 2025, at 19:30 UTC, a Boeing 737-4Y0 aircraft, registration YV657T, serial number 26073, operated by Línea Aérea Estelar Latinoamérica, C.A., was conducting a scheduled passenger flight from Simón Bolívar International Airport (SVMI) in Maiquetía, La Guaira, to General Juan Vicente Gómez Airport (SVSA) in San Antonio del Táchira. The aircraft was in the initial climb phase when the left window R5 fractured. The crew immediately applied the procedure specified in the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) and notified Approach Control of their decision to return to Maiquetía. The aircraft landed without further incident. All five crew members and 49 passengers were uninjured. The aircraft sustained no structural damage.
Aircraft and Operator Information
The aircraft was a twin-engine turbofan-powered land plane, manufactured by Boeing Aircraft Company. It held a valid airworthiness certificate issued by the National Institute of Civil Aviation (INAC) of Venezuela. The last scheduled maintenance was performed by OMAC No. 681 – Estelar Technik, C.A., located at Simón Bolívar Airport.
Crew Qualifications
The captain, aged 36, held an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) and a valid medical certificate expiring March 31, 2026. His ratings included Instrument Flight, B732/B733/B734, and English Level 5. The first officer, aged 32, held a Commercial Pilot License and a valid medical certificate expiring October 25, 2025. His ratings included Instrument Flight, Single Land (C206), C500 Captain (until November 2025), C550 Second-in-Command (until November 2025), B732/B733/B734 Second-in-Command (until November 2025), and English Level 5.
Weather Conditions
Meteorological conditions at the time were characterized by unlimited visibility and generally good weather throughout the day.
Investigation and Findings
The Junta Investigadora de Accidentes de Aviación Civil (JIAAC) conducted the investigation. Activities included crew interviews, collection of documentation, and photographic fixation of the fractured window. The investigation determined that the fracture originated in the intermediate vinyl layer of the window, caused by thermal stress arising from differing thermal expansion properties of the vinyl, glass, and window edge materials.
Probable Cause
The JIAAC determined the probable cause to be cracking in the intermediate vinyl layer due to thermal stress from the differing thermal expansion properties of the vinyl, glass, and window edge materials.