Preliminary Investigation of In-Flight Engine Event on McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 YV3499

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On May 1, 2022, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82, registration YV3499, serial number 49392, operated by RAVSA, was en route from La Chinita International Airport (SVMC) in Maracaibo, Zulia, to Simón Bolívar International Airport (SVMI) in Maiquetía, La Guaira. While in the en-route phase and level at 27,000 feet, the aircraft experienced a sudden deceleration in the right engine, resulting in a loss of power and malfunction of the throttle levers. The pilot in command returned to the departure airport, where the aircraft landed and was evacuated by its own means. All 84 passengers and 11 crew members were uninjured. The aircraft was a twin-engine turbofan with a capacity of 163 passengers and six crew members, equipped with two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 engines. Its airworthiness and radio station certificates issued by INAC were valid, and maintenance was performed by Servicios Técnicos Aeronáuticos del Zulia, C.A. ## Crew and Weather Conditions The pilot in command was 36 years old, held a commercial airplane license, MD-80 captain type rating, and instrument rating issued by INAC, and had 5,000 flight hours, including 2,800 hours as captain. The first officer was 30 years old, held a commercial airplane license, MD-80 first officer type rating, and instrument rating, and had 640 flight hours, including 440 hours as second pilot in command on the aircraft. Weather at the time was visual meteorological conditions with unlimited visibility, calm winds, stratus clouds with a ceiling of 5,000 feet, and light turbulence. ## Investigation Activities and Engine Findings The investigation included notifying interested states, requesting crew documentation, interviewing the crew, reviewing maintenance records, taking photographs, requesting a borescopic evaluation of the left engine, meeting with SMS and quality assurance management, and reviewing maintenance records, component traceability, work orders, and applicable airworthiness directives for the failed system. The left engine was placed under custody pending findings and root-cause determination. A borescopic inspection under work order OT N2022-05-RAVSA-005 examined the LPC, HPC, combustor, NGVs, HPT, and LPT. The LPC showed no damage. The HPC showed small dents on seven leading edges within limits, and another HPC section showed no damage. The combustor showed loss of protective coating on liners and internal/external ducts, with no injector damage. Two NGV blades had leading-edge cracks within limits. The HPT had two broken blades and the rest showed damage beyond limits. The LPT showed dents, nicks, missing material, and cracks on all blades beyond limits, with additional missing material beyond limits. ## Pending Actions and Notifications The left engine was removed for shop visit under service order OS 2022-05-012 for repair and remains under JIAAC custody while the investigation continues to determine the root cause. In accordance with Annex 13, Chapter 4, the incident was reported through JIAAC form 021/2022 to the ICAO ADREP system, and the design and manufacturing state authorities were notified by email. The preliminary report was issued by the JIAAC, attached to the Ministry of the People's Power for Transport, in Caracas on June 7, 2022. All times are in UTC, with Venezuela at UTC-4.