Incident Overview
On October 7, 2025, at 14:40 UTC, a Douglas DC-9-82 aircraft, registration YV3145, operated by Línea Aérea de Servicio Regional (LASER), C.A., was involved in a ground incident at Aeropuerto General en Jefe Santiago Mariño (SVMG) on Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta state. The aircraft had completed pushback and disconnection from the paymover when the paymover operator lost control and collided with the aircraft's radome. The flight was planned to Aeropuerto Internacional Simón Bolívar (SVMI) in Maiquetía, La Guaira state. On board were 54 passengers and 6 crew members; all were uninjured. The aircraft sustained minor damage.
Aircraft and Operator Information
The aircraft, a twin-engine Douglas DC-9-82 (serial 49565), was powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 turbofan engines. It held a valid airworthiness certificate issued by the National Institute of Civil Aviation (INAC). The last scheduled maintenance was performed by OMAC No. 475 – Laser Airlines, C.A., at Aeropuerto José Antonio Anzoátegui, Anzoátegui state.
Personnel Details
The captain, aged 54, held a valid Airline Transport Pilot License and medical certificate, with type ratings for Instrument Flight and MD80 Captain. The first officer, aged 41, held a valid Commercial Pilot License and medical certificate, with type ratings for Instrument Flight and MD80 Copilot. The paymover driver, aged 61, possessed a valid medical certificate, driver's license, and defensive driving certificate.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the incident, weather conditions were reported as visibility unlimited, calm wind, and generally good weather throughout the day.
Investigation Findings
The investigation included interviews with the flight crew and paymover operator, document reviews (licenses, medical certificates, flight logs, maintenance records), and inspections of the aircraft and paymover. The inspection of the paymover revealed that the acceleration linkage within the governor system had fractured. The driver attempted to stop the paymover by using the engine choke wire but was unsuccessful. Damage was confined to the aircraft's radome.
Corrective Actions
The paymover's acceleration linkage was replaced, the governor system was serviced, and the paymover was returned to operational status. The aircraft's radome was repaired.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the incident was the fracture of the acceleration linkage in the governor system, leading to loss of control of the paymover despite the driver's use of the engine choke wire.