Event Description
On 8 May 2022 at 14:50 UTC, a CONVIASA S.A. Embraer ERJ-190-100 IGW, registration YV2953, initiated a domestic flight from La Chinita International Airport (SVMC) in Maracaibo, Zulia State, to General Santiago Mariño International Airport (SVMG) on Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State. The aircraft carried 85 persons: 5 cabin crew, a pilot-in-command (PIC), a first officer, and 80 passengers.
During the takeoff roll, after the crew set 40% N1, activated the autothrottle, and applied takeoff power, the No. 2 engine did not increase power as expected. The N1 dropped to 30% and the N2 did not exceed 80%. The crew performed a rejected takeoff in accordance with established procedures, informed the control tower, and taxied to the apron. All occupants evacuated the aircraft using the normal exits and were uninjured.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft is a twin-engine, jet-powered, narrow-body airliner designed for short- to medium-range operations. Manufactured by Embraer S.A., model ERJ 190-100 IGW, serial number 19000675. It received its type certificate (EA-2005T13-27) from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) in August 2005. The aircraft is equipped with retractable landing gear and two General Electric CF34-10E6G07 high-bypass turbofan engines.
Crew Qualifications
The pilot-in-command held a valid medical certificate and airline transport pilot license issued by the National Institute of Civil Aviation (INAC) of Venezuela. The PIC had 4,000 hours as pilot-in-command on the Embraer ERJ-190 and was type-rated as captain. The first officer also held valid medical and commercial pilot licenses with Instrument Rating and was type-rated as copilot on the ERJ-190.
Weather Conditions
Meteorological conditions at the time of the event (14:50 UTC) were not contributory. The area experienced favorable weather for aerial navigation under instrument flight rules (IFR) with visual meteorological conditions (VMC).
Maintenance and Airworthiness
According to maintenance records, the aircraft was in an airworthy condition at the time of the event. The investigation included cross-referencing records with the primary maintenance organization (OMAC) certified in Venezuela, Consorcio Venezolano de Industrias Aeronáuticas y Servicios Aéreos, S.A. (CONVIASA), which held maintenance responsibility for the aircraft under number N°431.
Investigation Actions
The Junta Investigadora de Accidentes e Incidentes de Aviación Civil (JIAAC) conducted several activities: a working meeting with the safety management system (SMS) manager and personnel; planning to validate documents; interviews with the maintenance manager and flight crew; review of airworthiness directives; collection of documentation and evidence; photographic records; and review of crew licenses and logbooks.
A preliminary finding included a bent actuator rod for the variable stator vane (VSV) system. The FADEC system reads VSV positions to ensure correct vane angles relative to power selection; a discrepancy can prevent engine acceleration.
Preventive Measures
The JIAAC issued a preventive measure to CONVIASA: implement an effective procedure to check the FADEC system’s ability to read VSV positions, because the system interprets incorrect positions and can inhibit engine acceleration.
Notifications
The event was reported via the ICAO ADREP system (Form JIAAC/NAI 023/2022). Notifications were sent to the accident investigation authorities of the state of design and manufacture—the United States—as the aircraft’s manufacturer is based there. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) assigned an accredited representative. As of the report date, ICAO had not responded.
The aircraft was released from custody on 10 May 2022 under custody transfer document DGOAST/2022/Nº. 0021 to the company’s legal representative.
This preliminary report is subject to changes and may contain errors that will be corrected in the final report.