What happened
On September 15, 2025, a Boeing 737-329, registration YV666T, operated by Estelar Latinoamérica C.A., was performing a scheduled flight from General Manuel Carlos Piar Airport in Puerto Ordaz to Maiquetia International Airport. The aircraft was carrying 62 passengers and 3 crew members.
While the aircraft was in the cruise phase of flight, the crew experienced intense vibrations originating from the number one engine. In response, the captain requested authorization from Area Control to perform a performance-based descent, executing a drift-down procedure to reach a safe altitude. During this descent, the flight attendant reported that smoke was being emitted from the number one engine. The crew immediately implemented the "Severe Damage" memory items and followed the established Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) procedures. The captain decided to continue to the destination airport, where the aircraft landed without further incident. There were no injuries to the passengers or crew, and no structural damage was reported to the airframe.
The investigation
The JIAAC conducted a comprehensive technical examination of the aircraft's propulsion system. Investigators performed detailed inspections of the inlet cowl, fan cowl panels, fan blades, outlet guide vanes (OGV), and acoustic panels in accordance with the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM). Additionally, a borescope inspection was performed to assess the internal condition of the engine.
Findings
The investigation established that the number one CFM International CFM56-3B-2 engine sustained significant damage, including:
- Damage to the fan blades and the separation of fan blade number 27.
- Detachment of engine acoustic panels.
- A perforation in the right-side fan cowl.
- Damage to the intake cone.
While borescope inspections indicated that some internal engine damage remained within manufacturer-defined limits, the loss of a fan blade necessitated the replacement of all fan blades. Furthermore, the damage to the fan cowl and acoustic panels required full replacement to restore structural and functional integrity. The left-hand engine was subsequently removed and replaced to return the aircraft to service.