What happened
On September 12, 2026, a twin-engine turboprop aircraft, registration YV2653, departed from an airfield in the Francisco de Miranda Insular Territory under visual flight conditions (VMC). The flight was carrying a crew of one pilot and nine passengers.
During the initial climb, while attempting to reach flight level 1/65, the crew observed torque fluctuations and a loss of oil pressure in the left (LH) engine. The pilot immediately implemented the procedures outlined in the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH); however, these actions did not resolve the issue. Consequently, the pilot decided to return to the departure airport.
After notifying Barcelona Approach, the pilot was authorized to return and subsequently secured the left engine. Upon contacting the tower, the crew requested a landing on runway 02 and requested precautionary fire services. The aircraft landed without further incident, and all 10 persons on board remained uninjured.
The investigation
The JIAAC investigation included an examination of the aircraft's airworthiness certificates, maintenance logs from the operator (Servicios Aeronáuticos 720, C.A.), and the pilot's licenses and medical certifications. Technical inspections were performed on the left engine, including borescope inspections, hot section inspections, and chip detector evaluations.
Engine inspections revealed that several blades and vanes on the CT disk showed erosion and minor cracks (approximately 0.08 inches), which were within permissible limits according to the Pratt & Whitney engine maintenance manual. No metallic particles were found in the filters or the chip detector, and subsequent engine runs showed normal parameters with no further leaks.
Findings
- The investigation found no evidence of internal mechanical failure within the engine, as evidenced by clean filters and a satisfactory borescope evaluation.
- The primary cause was attributed to a combination of human factors and organizational factors rather than a technical malfunction.
- The loss of oil pressure is noted as a condition that can lead to progressive engine degradation or overheating if not addressed.