Rutas Aereas de Venezuela DC-9-82 Returns to Maiquetia After Right-Engine Failure (YV3499)

Incident Overview On 31 March 2026 at 15:30 UTC, a Douglas Aircraft Company DC-9-82, registration YV3499, serial 49392, operated by Rutas Aereas de Venezuela S.A. (RAVSA), departed Simón Bolívar International Airport (SVMI) in Maiquetía, Estado La Guaira, for La Chinita International Airport (SVMC) in Maracaibo, Estado Zulia. The aircraft carried 85 people: a pilot, a co-pilot, four cabin crew members, and 79 passengers. During the initial climb after takeoff, the flight crew reported a loud noise from the right engine, followed by low oil pressure and strong vibration. The crew applied the applicable Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) procedure, but the result was not satisfactory. The captain then decided to return to the departure airport, notified the situation, and declared an emergency to Maiquetía Approach Control. The aircraft was authorized to return and later cleared to land without incident. All passengers and crew were reported unharmed, and the aircraft was found to have the engine-related issue described. ## Aircraft and Operational Details The source describes the aircraft as a land-based twin-engine turbofan powered by Pratt & Whitney JT8D-217 engines, with a maximum takeoff weight of 67,800 kg (149,495.500 lbs). It was classified as commercial aviation for public air transport. At the time of the event, the aircraft was airworthy under a valid certificate of airworthiness issued by the state of registry, and its insurance was also valid. The last preventive and scheduled maintenance was performed by OMAC N° 441, Servicios Técnicos Aeronáuticos del Zulia, C.A., located at Simón Bolívar International Airport. The pilot was 54 years old and held a valid medical certificate, aeronautical license, and ratings issued by Venezuela’s INAC, including Instrumental Flight and MD80 Captain/PIC, both dated 02/Oct/2026. The co-pilot was 34 years old and held a valid medical certificate, aeronautical license, and ratings issued by INAC, including Instrumental Flight and MD80 Co-pilot/SIC, both dated 30/Sep/2026. Weather conditions were reported as calm wind, unlimited visibility, and generally good weather throughout the day. ## Investigation and Findings Investigators interviewed the flight crew and requested copies of identity documents, licenses, medical certificates, flight logs, and the flight plan. They also requested from the operator the registration certificate, airworthiness certificate, radio station license, insurance policy, and acoustic certification. Maintenance records and certificates were requested from OMAC N° 441. A borescope inspection was performed, and troubleshooting of the right engine according to AMM 72-00-04 page 114 indicated damage in the turbine section. The engine was replaced, and subsequent checks were satisfactory, leaving the aircraft operational. Maintenance records were reviewed to confirm compliance with the manufacturer’s manual, and photographic documentation was taken. Detailed visual and borescope inspections found the following: - High-Pressure Compressor (HPC): Damage (nick) was observed on most leading edges of the blades on the C7 stage disk. One blade showed an impact, considered the initial damage, with the sequence becoming more pronounced. The pattern suggested the damage was caused by Foreign Object Damage (FOD). The structural integrity of the high-stage disks was compromised. - High-Pressure Turbine (HPT): Damage and material loss were found on all blades in the T1 turbine section, beyond limits, caused by metal fragments from the compressor impacting and eroding the stator and rotor blades, exceeding the manufacturer’s repair limits. - Low-Pressure Turbine (LPT): Damage and material loss were found throughout the low-pressure turbine sections T2, T3, and T4, beyond limits, due to debris impacting the final turbine stages, resulting in total loss of blade geometry and damage to internal casings. The investigation board confirmed FOD damage affecting the structural and aerodynamic integrity of the high-pressure (HPC and HPT) and low-pressure (LPT) sections, compromising operability limits established in the Engine Maintenance Manual (EMM). ## Corrective Actions and Status The engine was replaced. Custody transfer Total N° 016/2026 was delivered, and custody transfer with product retention N° 015/2026 was delivered for the engine, model JT8D-219, serial 725727. The investigation was ongoing, with analysis of technical, operational, and documentary information underway for the final report. ## Notifications In accordance with Annex 13, Chapter 4 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the event was reported using form MPPT-JIAA-F014 under case N° 012/2026 and entered into the ICAO ADREP system. The United States of America, as the state of design and manufacture, was notified by email and responded by assigning an accredited representative. The preliminary information is subject to change and may contain errors, which will be corrected in the final report. All times are in UTC; Venezuela’s UTC offset is -4:00.