Rutaca Airlines Boeing 737-230 aborted takeoff due to airspeed indicator failure (YV380T)

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On June 12, 2021, at 14:15 UTC, a Boeing 737-230 operated by Rutaca Airlines, registration YV380T, serial number 22127, was preparing for a flight from Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, Venezuela, to Punta Cana International Airport in the Dominican Republic. The aircraft carried 97 people: two pilots, four cabin crew members, and 91 passengers. It was fueled with 27,337 pounds of fuel, providing an estimated 4.5 hours of endurance. The aircraft was certified for 122 passengers and powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-17 turbofan engines. ## Event Sequence During the takeoff roll, after the crew verified the 80-knot callout in accordance with standard operating procedures, the captain observed that his airspeed indicator was displaying zero knots. Following the Quick Reference Handbook, the crew executed a rejected takeoff. The aircraft returned to the platform under its own power. All occupants were unharmed, and the aircraft was noted to have a failure in the speed indication system. ## Investigation and Findings The investigation, conducted by the Junta Investigadora de Accidentes e Incidentes de Aviación Civil (JIAAC), included crew interviews, collection of maintenance and operational documentation, and physical inspections. Maintenance records indicated that the last preventive services were performed by Taller Aeronáutico Mares, S.R.L. (OMAC-N 038). During the investigation, hot tests of the Pitot-static system were conducted, and both airspeed indicators were verified using a Pitot-static tester. ## Probable Cause and Recommendations The probable cause was determined to be a material factor: the inadequate functioning of the Air Data Computer (ADC). A contributing factor was inadequate maintenance during the replacement of the Pitot tube, specifically the failure to properly clean the lines, which led to obstruction and debris reaching the ADC, resulting in erroneous or absent airspeed readings. Recommendations included prioritizing verification of electrical connectors and terminals, supervising maintenance orders, and establishing procedures for cleaning Pitot connection lines during component replacement.