2025 Estelar Latinamerica Boeing 737-329 incident (YV666T)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On 15 September 2025, a Boeing 737-329 with registration YV666T, serial number 23774, and owned by Estelar Latinamerica C.A., filed a flight plan from General Manuel Carlos Piar Airport in Puerto Ordaz, Bolívar State, to Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, La Guaira State. The aircraft carried 62 passengers and 3 crew members. During the cruise phase, the crew reported a strong vibration in engine number 1. The captain requested authorization from the area control center for a descent due to performance and executed a drift-down procedure to maintain the recommended altitude for the aircraft. ## Emergency Response and Landing During the descent, a flight attendant reported that engine number 1 had expelled smoke. The crew immediately applied the memory items for the severe damage procedure and continued with the procedures established in the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH). The captain decided to continue to the destination airport, where the aircraft landed without incident. All passengers and crew were unharmed, and the aircraft sustained no structural damage. ## Aircraft and Maintenance Background The aircraft is a twin-engine land-based airplane powered by two CFM International CFM56-3B-2 engines, with a maximum takeoff weight of 95,028 kg. It was certified as airworthy by the Venezuelan aeronautical authority, INAC, and its insurance was valid at the time of the incident. The last preventive and scheduled maintenance was performed by OMAC No. 681, Estelar Technik C.A., located at Simón Bolívar International Airport. ## Investigation and Findings The investigation included interviews with the flight crew, collection of documentation, and detailed inspections of the engine inlet cowl, fan cowl panels, fan blades, outlet guide vanes, and acoustic panels, as well as a borescope inspection. The investigation found that engine number 1, a CFM International CFM56-3B-2 with serial number 720983, sustained damage to the fan blades, including the detachment of fan blade number 27, detachment of acoustic panels, a perforation in the right fan cowl, and damage to the intake cone. The borescope inspection determined that several internal components were affected, but the damage was within the limits established by the manufacturer. Replacement of all fan blades was required, and the fan cowl and acoustic panels also required replacement to preserve structural and functional integrity. The left-hand engine was subsequently removed and replaced to restore the aircraft's safe operability. ## Regulatory Notifications In accordance with Annex 13 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the incident was reported to the ICAO ADREP system and the United States of America was notified as the state of design and manufacture. The United States responded by assigning an accredited representative. The investigation remains in the process of analyzing technical, operational, and documentary information, with the final report pending.