What happened
On September 27, 2021, at 15:24 UTC, a Conviasa Embraer ERJ 190-200 (registration YV2964) was performing a commercial flight from Maiquetia International Airport in Venezuela to Viru Viru International Airport in Bolivia. During the takeoff roll, the right engine failed to reach required performance parameters. The engine's power automatically reduced, limiting the high-temperature turbine RPM to 40%. In response to this loss of thrust, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff and return to the terminal.
The aircraft was carrying 124 passengers and a crew of five. There were no injuries reported, and the aircraft sustained no damage during the incident. Weather conditions at the time were favorable, with unlimited visibility and light winds.
The investigation
Investigators from JIAAC conducted a technical examination of the aircraft and its engines. The inspection included a review of maintenance records, crew interviews, and a physical examination of the engine's internal components.
Technicians analyzed the aircraft's fault recording computer, which revealed error codes indicating a discrepancy of more than 5% in the position sensors of the Variable Stator Vanes (VSV) within the high-pressure compressor. Further disassembly of the assembly revealed that two rods responsible for moving the ring that rotates the vane linkages were bent. The investigation also noted that the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) could not be downloaded at the time because the operator's maintenance organization lacked the necessary recovery capacity.
Findings
- The right engine experienced an automatic power reduction due to a failure in the high-pressure compressor's Variable Stator Vane (VSV) system.
- Bent actuator rods were discovered, which had been forced into a deformed state due to the jamming of the vane axes.
- This mechanical seizure caused the sensors to provide inconsistent position readings, triggering the engine control system to limit RPM to prevent further damage.