2021 Conviasa Airbus A340-211 engine fire incident

Incident overview On 1 December 2021 at 16:21 UTC, an Airbus A340-211 operated by Conviasa, registered YV1004 and serial number 031, was on flight 3742 from Simón Bolívar International Airport (SVMI) in Maiquetía, Venezuela, to Lic. Adolfo López Mateos International Airport (MMTO) in Toluca, Mexico. During the initial climb after takeoff, the crew reported a fire indication on engine number 3. The crew followed the applicable manufacturer procedures and checklists, declared an emergency, and returned to SVMI, where the aircraft landed on runway 10/28. All occupants were reported unharmed, and the aircraft sustained significant damage. ## Aircraft and operator details The aircraft was an Airbus A340-211, with a maximum takeoff weight of 275,000 kg, certified for commercial public air transport service. It was equipped with CFM International engines and had a passenger capacity of 261. The aircraft held a standard airworthiness certificate and registration certificate issued by Venezuela’s Instituto Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil (INAC). The last scheduled maintenance was performed by OMAC-N 431, Consorcio Venezolano de Industrias Aeronáuticas y Servicios Aéreos (CONVIASA), at the CONVIASA hangar at Simón Bolívar International Airport. ## Crew and investigation activities The pilot in command and co-pilot held commercial pilot licenses, medical certifications, and A340-200/300 type ratings issued by INAC. The investigation included notification of the occurrence, collection of crew documentation, crew interviews, maintenance reports, operator documents, fuel supply records, and photographic evidence. The crew reported that the aircraft had been in optimal condition and weather was favorable until the engine 3 fire alert appeared during initial climb. ## Status and notifications At the time of the preliminary report, the investigation was in the analysis phase, with engine examination pending based on manufacturer recommendations. The occurrence was reported to the ICAO ADREP system, and the United States was notified as the state of design and manufacture, with the NTSB identified as the relevant investigation authority.