Event Description
On September 19, 2025, at 21:09 UTC, a British Aerospace JT3100 aircraft, registration YV3438, operated by SERVICIOS AÉREOS SUCRE, C.A. (SASCA), was preparing for a flight from El Gran Roque Aerodrome (SVRS) to Simón Bolívar International Airport (SVMI) in Maiquetía, Venezuela. The aircraft carried two crew members and fourteen passengers.
After door closure and during engine start of the number 1 engine, at 35% RPM, the crew observed a temperature rise to approximately 740°C. They aborted the start, and the first officer visually inspected the engine, reporting fire and dense smoke coming from the engine air intakes. The crew immediately applied the QRH FIRE (on the ground) procedures. With visible fire, they actuated the feather lever, turn and pull mechanism, and low-pressure fuel shutoff valves. Two fire extinguisher bottles were discharged, as after 30 seconds of the first discharge, fire persisted inside the turbine. The aircraft was then evacuated. Subsequently, the crew noted fire at the exhaust nozzle, and the captain notified airport firefighters, who extinguished the fire with CO2.
All passengers and crew were uninjured. The aircraft sustained minor damage.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft was a twin-engine turboprop powered by Garrett TPE331-10UG engines, manufactured by British Aerospace. Its model was JT3100, serial number 822. It held a valid airworthiness certificate and was operated in commercial aviation under public air transport service. The most recent scheduled maintenance was performed by OMAC N° 398 – HANGAR 74, C.A. at Tomás Heres Airport in Ciudad Bolívar.
The captain, aged 57, held an Airline Transport Pilot License and a valid medical certificate, with type ratings for JS31/JS32 as captain. The first officer, aged 24, held a Commercial Pilot License and a valid medical certificate, with type ratings for JS31/JS32 as first officer.
Meteorological Conditions
Weather at the time was reported as unlimited visibility and generally good conditions throughout the day.
Investigation and Probable Cause
The Junta Investigadora de Accidentes de Aviación Civil (JIAAC) conducted an investigation. A post-incident engine inspection of the left engine (Garrett TPE331-10UGR-516H, serial P-63163C) was performed in accordance with Honeywell and aircraft maintenance manuals.
The investigation determined that the ignition of fuel in the combustion chamber, evidenced by flames at the exhaust cone, was caused by an engine cutoff at 32% RPM, which led to an accumulation of fuel residues in the combustion chamber. Additionally, the internal turbine temperature during this process caused these residues to combust. After a test run, the engine was found to be within normal operating parameters.