2021 Rutaca Airlines Boeing 737-230 hydraulic incident (YV380T)

Incident overview and flight details On 17 June 2021 at 12:25 UTC, a Boeing 737-230 operated by Rutaca Airlines, registration YV380T, serial number 22127, departed Simón Bolívar International Airport (SVMI) in Maiquetía, La Guaira, for Tomás Heres Airport (SVCB) in Ciudad Bolívar, Bolívar. The aircraft carried 19 people: a pilot, a co-pilot, three cabin crew members, and 14 passengers. The planned flight time was 50 minutes, with 23,589 pounds of fuel and four hours of endurance. ## In-flight event and return At 12:37 UTC, while reaching the speed for Flap 1° retraction, the flight crew commanded Flap 1° and the pilot in command observed a HyD—Hydraulic Fluid light in the recall panel, along with indications of loss and low pressure in hydraulic system A. The captain immediately applied the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) procedure, declared an emergency, and requested a return to Maiquetía Approach Control (APP-SVMI). The non-normal and normal checklists were completed satisfactorily. The airport and company emergency plans were activated. ## Landing and post-incident actions The aircraft landed at SVMI at 12:48 UTC on runway R10 and held at the end of the runway due to the hydraulic failure. All occupants were unharmed. The aircraft was later moved to the apron with the reported hydraulic fault. ## Aircraft and maintenance background The aircraft was a commercial transport Boeing 737-230, type certificate FAA A6WE2, with a capacity for 122 passengers. It was powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-17 turbofan engines, each with a maximum thrust of 18,996 pounds. Its wingspan was 28.3 meters (76.44 feet), and its maximum takeoff weight was 52,390 kilograms (115,500 pounds). At the time of the event, the aircraft was airworthy under airworthiness certificate number 013714. The last preventive and scheduled maintenance was performed by OMAC-N 038, Taller Aeronáutico Mares, S.R.L., at Simón Bolívar International Airport. ## Crew and weather The pilot in command was 49 years old and held a valid air transport pilot license and medical certificate issued by INAC, with instrument ratings for B732/B733 and 201, 201.18 hours as pilot in command on the involved model, and 5,264.31 total hours. The co-pilot was 26 years old and held a valid commercial pilot license and medical certificate, with an instrument rating and B732 co-pilot rating. Weather at SVMI was generally good with unlimited visibility. ## Investigation findings and probable cause The investigation included crew interviews, collection of crew and operator documentation, maintenance records, and inspections. Maintenance actions under AMM 20-10-52 and AMM 29-00-00 identified a broken return line in the left main landing gear actuator and low hydraulic fluid level. A replacement flexible line, BACH8A06 EE0250, was installed. The investigating authority determined that the probable cause was a material factor: deterioration of the flexible return line in the left main landing gear actuator, which caused loss of fluid and pressure in hydraulic system A. Preventive measures included implementing a procedure to verify the physical condition of hydraulic connectors and rigid or flexible lines across the operator’s fleet.