2023 Avior Airlines Boeing 737-232 aborted takeoff in Barcelona, Venezuela (YV2823)

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On April 12, 2023, at 16:09 UTC, a Boeing 737-232 with registration YV2823 and serial number 23090, owned by Avior Airlines, C.A., began its takeoff roll from the runway at the José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport in Barcelona, Anzoátegui State, Venezuela. The flight was scheduled to depart for the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, La Guaira State. The aircraft carried 49 people: one pilot, one co-pilot, three cabin crew members, and 44 passengers. The aircraft is a twin-engine, land-based turbofan jet with a tricycle retractable landing gear. It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney engines mounted under the wings: a JT8D-15 (Engine #1) with a maximum thrust of 15,500 lbs and a JT8D-17 (Engine #2) with a maximum thrust of 16,000 lbs. The maximum takeoff weight is 54,204 kg (119,500 lbs). The aircraft held valid registration, airworthiness, and radio station certificates issued by the Venezuelan aeronautical authority, INAC, and was in commercial service. ## Operational Sequence and Maintenance During the takeoff roll, the captain observed a power difference between the engines, with Engine 2 accelerating significantly while Engine 1 showed little acceleration. For safety, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff and return the aircraft to the platform. The last preventive and scheduled maintenance services were performed by OMAC N° 440 Avior Airlines, C.A., located at the José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport. The pilot, aged 37, and the co-pilot, aged 34, both held valid medical certificates, aeronautical licenses, and ratings issued by INAC, including instrument flight and type ratings for the B732/B734. ## Investigation and Findings The investigation included notification of the occurrence, collection of pilot and co-pilot documentation, maintenance reports, crew interviews, operator documents, and certificates of registration, airworthiness, and insurance. A visual inspection and photographic documentation of the aircraft were conducted, along with troubleshooting. Inspection of Engine #1 to determine the cause of the lack of acceleration revealed stiffness in the Engine Control Cable, according to AMM 76-11-21. The Engine Push-Pull Cable was subsequently removed and replaced in accordance with AMM 76-11-81. The investigation was ongoing at the time of the preliminary report, with technical, operational, and documentary analysis still in progress. The occurrence was reported to the ICAO ADREP system, and the United States, as the State of Design and Manufacture, was notified and assigned an accredited representative.