What happened
On July 7, 2025, at 22:25 UTC, a Douglas DC-9-82, registration YV3145, operated by LÍNEA AÉREA DE SERVICIO REGIONAL (LASER), C.A., departed from Juan Pablo Pérez Alfonso International Airport (SVVG) in El Vigía, Mérida, bound for Simón Bolívar International Airport (SVMI) in Maiquetía. The aircraft was carrying 79 people, including 71 passengers and eight crew members.
During the initial climb, after reaching approximately 1,000 feet, the flight crew heard a loud bang from the number two (right) engine. Upon checking engine parameters, the crew observed a critical increase in the Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) for the right engine. The captain notified Air Traffic Services and requested authorization to maintain runway heading and climb to 3,000 feet to perform emergency procedures. Following the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) protocols, the crew executed an engine failure in flight procedure and shut down the right engine. The aircraft subsequently returned to El Vigía and landed without further incident. There were no injuries among the passengers or crew.
The investigation
The investigation included interviews with the flight crew and a review of various documents, including licenses, medical certificates, flight logs, and maintenance records for both the aircraft and the maintenance organization (OMAC N° 475). Investigators also performed a photographic survey of the aircraft at the scene and conducted a borescope inspection of the right engine.
Findings
Borescope inspections of the right engine revealed significant internal damage. Specifically, investigators identified material loss on the High Pressure Turbine (HPT) 1st Stage Nozzle Guide Vanes (NGVs), as well as material loss on several blade sets and stators within the Low Pressure Turbine (LPT) stages, including the 2nd stage and 4th stage. These findings were documented as being outside of the limits established by the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM).
Safety action
The right engine was removed and replaced to allow for continued investigation and analysis of maintenance records.