Venezuelan Rockwell 690B Engine Failure Incident (YV1998)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On June 12, 2023, a Rockwell International 690B, registration YV1998, serial number 11483, operated by RECIPLAST DE VENEZUELA, C.A., departed from Aeropuerto Internacional del Caribe “General en Jefe Santiago Mariño” (SVMG) in El Yaque, Nueva Esparta, bound for Aeropuerto Internacional “Arturo Michelena” (SVVA) in Valencia, Carabobo. The flight began at 18:30 UTC with 2,420 pounds of fuel and six people on board: two crew members and four passengers. The estimated route time was 1 hour and 10 minutes. ## In-Flight Emergency and Landing During the cruise phase, while level at 24,000 feet and approximately 20 nautical miles from the Aeropuerto de Higuerote, the crew noticed a variation in the right engine's RPM. They shut down the engine and requested descent authorization from the Maiquetía Area Control Center, which cleared them to Flight Level 160. Following Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) procedures, the crew attempted to restart the engine, but the attempt was unsuccessful. They then contacted Maiquetía Control, reported the engine failure, and requested a diversion to Aeropuerto de Caracas (SVCS), asking to land on runway 28. The aircraft landed without incident, taxied to the ramp under its own power, and all passengers and crew were unharmed. ## Aircraft and Maintenance Background The aircraft was a Rockwell International 690B, categorized as General Aviation–Corporate Use, with FAA Type Certificate No. 2A4, Revision 49 (Twin Commander), issued on September 25, 2015. At the time of the incident, the aircraft was airworthy under a valid certificate of airworthiness (Control No. 014889) issued by the state of registry. The last preventive and scheduled maintenance was performed by OMAC-N 666 ELIKATY SERVICIOS AEREOS, C.A., located at Aeropuerto Internacional “Oscar Machado Zuloaga,” Hangar PEC-13, Charallave, Miranda. Post-incident maintenance was handled by OMAC-N 104 AEROCENTRO DE SERVICIOS, C.A., also located at Aeropuerto Caracas “Oscar Machado Zuloaga,” Charallave, Miranda. ## Crew Qualifications The pilot in command, aged 34, held a valid medical certificate and Commercial Pilot–Airplane license issued by the Instituto Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil (INAC). His ratings included Instrument Flight, AC90 Captain/PIC, and C500/C550 Captain, with 1,400 hours as pilot in command on the involved model and 2,568.8 total hours. The co-pilot, also aged 34, held a valid medical certificate and Commercial Pilot–Airplane license from INAC, with ratings for Instrument Flight and AC90 Captain/PIC, 79.5 hours as pilot in command on the model, and 3,668.1 total hours. ## Investigation Findings and Corrective Actions The investigation included a 360-degree photographic record, interviews with the crew, and collection of documents such as licenses, medical certificates, flight logs, flight plan, passenger manifest, registration and airworthiness certificates, radio station license, insurance policy, acoustic certification, operator certificate, METAR, weight and balance, and fuel invoice. On June 13, 2023, the JIAAC, along with legal representatives and personnel from OMAC-N 104, inspected the right engine at SVCS. Oil residue was found on the lower cowling of the right engine, and the oil level was significantly below the minimum. Metal fragments were found in the oil filter adapter cavity. The adapter was removed, revealing three fractured mounting points out of four, allowing the component to move. On June 15, 2023, OMAC-N 104 performed corrective maintenance: the adapter housing area was repaired with anticorrosive treatment and epoxy paint; an inspected adapter (P/N 894117-1) was installed; the oil filter was reinstalled; the oil level was topped up; and an engine run was conducted with no leaks and normal oil pressure and temperature indications. A borescope inspection showed no discrepancies. Custody was transferred under DGOAST/2023/N°0032. ## Preventive Measures and Notifications The JIAAC issued a preventive measure to OMAC-N 104 to perform an oil analysis to check for magnesium particles in the oil filter, per manufacturer recommendations. In accordance with Annex 13, Chapter 4 of the Chicago Convention, the incident was reported via JIAAC form 034/2023 to the ICAO ADREP system, and the United States, as the state of design and manufacture, was notified by email. The NTSB, as the U.S. accident investigation authority, was the responding state. All times in the report are in UTC (Venezuela is UTC-4). The report was issued by the Dirección General de la Oficina Administrativa de Seguridad del Transporte (JIAAC), under the Ministry of Popular Power for Transport, in Caracas on July 10, 2023.