What happened
On April 6, 2022, at 10:05 UTC, a McDonnell Douglas MD82, registration YV3499, operated by Rutas Aéreas de Venezuela, S.A. (RAVSA), was performing a commercial flight from La Chinita International Airport in Maracaibo to Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetia.
While the aircraft was in its climb phase, passing through 21,000 feet, the crew observed an increase in cabin altitude, indicating a loss of cabin pressure. In response, the pilot in command executed the procedures outlined in the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) to restore pressurization. When these efforts failed to stabilize the cabin environment, the crew performed an emergency descent as mandated by the QRH. Following the descent, the pilot requested a return to the departure airport. The aircraft landed safely at La Chinita International Airport with no injuries to the six crew members and no damage to the airframe.
The investigation
The preliminary investigation examined the technical status of the aircraft, a twin-engine jet powered by Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 engines. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's registration, airworthiness, and radio station certificates were valid and issued by the National Institute of Civil Aviation (INAC). The crew consisted of a pilot in command with 5,200 flight hours and a co-pilot with 1,800 flight hours, both holding appropriate type ratings for the MD80 series. Meteorological conditions at the time of the event were reported as good, with visibility of 6 nautical miles and winds of 10 knots.