Avior Airlines Flight Incident: Flap Position Transmitter Failure During Approach to Barcelona (YV2823)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On September 5, 2022, at 19:47 UTC, a Boeing 737-200 with registration YV2823, operated by Avior Airlines, C.A., departed from Las Américas International Airport (MDSD) in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic, bound for General José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport (SVBC) in Barcelona, Venezuela. The commercial flight carried 53 people on board and had a maximum takeoff weight of 119,500 lbs. ## Approach and Emergency Procedures At 21:50 UTC, while on final approach to SVBC approximately 15 nautical miles from the airport, the pilot in command observed no indication of movement on the instruments when initiating flap configuration. The pilot immediately requested a 25-nautical-mile vector from Barcelona approach control to apply the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) procedure for a trailing edge flap disagreement. The crew successfully extended the flaps to 15 degrees using the alternate extension method, as stipulated in the manual for normal configuration landing with good braking action. As a precautionary measure, the crew requested aeronautical fire services. ## Landing and Aftermath At 21:56 UTC, the aircraft landed without incident at General José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport. All passengers were unharmed, and the aircraft sustained no significant damage. ## Aircraft and Crew Information The aircraft, a Boeing 737-232 with serial number 23090, was certified by the FAA with type certificate A16WE. It had a capacity for 5 crew members and 108 passengers, and was equipped with two Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines. The pilot in command, aged 41, held valid licenses and ratings from the Venezuelan aeronautical authority INAC, with 12,800 total flight hours. The first officer, aged 31, also held valid credentials with 4,750 total flight hours. ## Investigation Findings The investigation, conducted by the Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Board (JIAAC), included interviews with the crew, photographic documentation of the aircraft, and inspection of the hydraulic system. The investigation determined that the flap position transmitter was inoperative and was not sending the signal required for proper flap extension. A defective left-hand flap position transmitter was identified and replaced according to maintenance manual procedures. Subsequent checks confirmed normal operation of the flap system. Hydraulic fluid analysis showed no contamination, with water content at 0.005% (50ppm) and no corrosive agents present. ## Preliminary Status This information is preliminary and subject to change as the investigation continues. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report is completed.