On July 16, 2023, a THE BOEING COMPANY 732‐232 (registration YV2823) operated by AVIOR AIRLINES, C.A was involved in an aviation accident near AEROPUERTO, VE. This summary draws on records from the Venezuelan Civil Aviation Accident Investigation Board (JIAAC Venezuela); 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
On July 16, 2023, a Boeing 737-232 operated by Avior Airlines experienced an engine overheat warning and cabin pressurization alarm during climb. The aircraft returned to Maiquetía and landed safely with no injuries.
Incident Overview and Flight Details On July 16, 2023, at 17:00 UTC, a Boeing 737-232 with registration YV2823, serial number 23090, and operated by Avior Airlines, C.A., departed from Simón Bolívar International Airport (SVMI) in Maiquetía, Venezuela, bound for the Americas International Airport (MDSD) in the Dominican Republic. The aircraft carried 77 people on board, consisting of two pilots, three cabin crew members, and 70 passengers. It was fueled with 6,500 kg of fuel, providing an estimated three hours of endurance, with a planned route time of 35 minutes. ## In-Flight Events and Crew Response During the climb phase, at approximately 15:42 UTC, the pilot in command of Avior Airlines Flight 1214 requested and was cleared to climb to flight level 260 (FL260). Approximately 500 feet below the assigned level, the ENG N°1 FIRE OVERHEAT warning light illuminated. The crew immediately initiated the applicable Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) procedures, notified the Maiquetía Area Control Center of the malfunction, and declared a return to the departure airport. During the descent, a cabin pressurization alarm also activated. The crew applied the relevant memory items and QRH procedures for a pressurization failure. The aircraft descended to 10,000 feet (FL100) without further incident. After completing the required checklists, the aircraft landed uneventfully on runway 10 at SVMI and taxied to platform No. 12. All passengers and crew disembarked safely and were reported uninjured. ## Aircraft, Maintenance, and Crew Information The aircraft was certified for commercial air transport under type certificate A16WE for the 737-200 model. At the time of the event, it held a valid airworthiness certificate (Control No. 014433) issued by the state of registry. The last scheduled and preventive maintenance was performed by OMAC-N 440 B1, Avior Airlines, C.A., located near ramp 12 at Simón Bolívar International Airport. The pilot in command was 47 years old and held a valid commercial pilot license and medical certificate issued by the Instituto Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil (INAC). He was rated for instrument flight and B732/B734 captain duties, with 1,302 hours as pilot in command on the involved model and 4,271.1 total flight hours. The co-pilot was 28 years old, also holding valid INAC-issued commercial pilot and medical certificates, with instrument ratings and B732/B734 first officer qualifications. He had 220 hours as pilot in command on the model and 2,100 total hours. ## Investigation and Post-Incident Actions The incident was reported as a serious incident under case file 038/2023 on July 16, 2023. Investigators conducted a photographic survey of the aircraft, interviewed the pilot and co-pilot, and requested copies of identity documents, licenses, medical certificates, flight logs, the flight plan, and passenger manifest. Additional documentation was requested from the operator and the maintenance organization, including registration, airworthiness, radio station, insurance, acoustic certification, operational specifications, meteorological reports, weight and balance data, fuel receipts, maintenance records, and work orders. A post-incident inspection of engine No. 1 was carried out under report numbers 148338/148339 following the ENG N°1 FIRE OVERHEAT indication. Maintenance actions included a troubleshooting procedure per AMM-26-11-02, removal and installation of the control box module fire overheat unit per AMM-26-10-01, an operational test per AMM-26-11-02, and a satisfactory “F” test per AMM-71-00-00. Custody of the aircraft was transferred under document DGOAST/2023/N°0046. ## Notifications and Reporting In accordance with Annex 13, Chapter 4 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the incident was reported through form JIAAC 038/2023 to the ICAO ADREP system. The United States, as the state of design and manufacture, was notified by email. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) responded in its capacity as the investigating authority for the state of design and manufacture. All times in the report are given in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), with Venezuela operating at UTC-4. The preliminary report was issued by the Dirección General de la Oficina Administrativa de Seguridad del Transporte (Junta Investigadora de Accidentes de Aviación Civil) under the Ministry of Popular Power for Transport in Caracas on July 25, 2023.