Incident Overview
On December 7, 2021, at 14:21 UTC, an Embraer ERJ 190/100 IGW, registration YV3071, operated by CONSORCIO VENEZOLANO DE INDUSTRIAS AERONAUTICAS Y SERVICIOS AEREOS, S.A. (CONVIASA), departed from Aeropuerto Internacional Simón Bolívar de Maiquetía (SVMI) bound for Aeropuerto General Manuel Carlos Piar (SVPR) in Puerto Ordaz. During the initial climb phase, the flight crew and cabin crew perceived a strong chemical odor accompanied by a hazy condition (similar to smoke or mist) in the cabin. The pilot in command proceeded to reach the acceleration altitude and declared an emergency to Air Traffic Services, deciding to return to Maiquetía. The aircraft landed without incident. During the taxi, the chemical odor dissipated. Emergency response personnel provided preventive support until the aircraft was directed to the terminal, where a controlled disembarkation was carried out according to established procedures. All occupants were reported uninjured, and the aircraft was undamaged.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft, an Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW (serial number 19000676), was a commercial transport category aircraft with a type certificate issued by the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC). It was equipped with two General Electric CF34-10E7-B engines and a retractable landing gear. The pilot in command, aged 35, held a valid medical certificate and commercial pilot license issued by the Venezuelan Civil Aeronautics Institute (INAC). He had 1,530 hours as pilot-in-command on the ERJ 190 and 3,750 total flight hours, with ratings for instrument flight, multi-engine land, and E-190 PIC. The co-pilot, aged 26, also held a valid medical certificate and commercial pilot license, with ratings for instrument flight, multi-engine land, and E-190 SIC.
Meteorological Conditions
According to the METAR, weather conditions were unlimited and favorable for visual flight rules (VFR) operations, with unlimited visibility and calm wind (090/10 at SVMI).
Maintenance Findings
The aircraft was airworthy at the time of the incident, with a valid certificate of airworthiness and maintenance records on file. The last preventive and scheduled maintenance was performed by the CONVIASA maintenance organization (OMAC N-431) at Maiquetía. Investigation activities included interviews with the flight crew, review of maintenance documentation, and inspection of the aircraft. It was found that a compressor wash and fan blade lubrication task had been conducted the night before the event, using a product recommended by the manufacturer (Vantage B and B3100). The maintenance personnel operated the engines for ten minutes after the wash to dry the compressor area, as per the AMM procedure. However, the drying time was determined to be insufficient, leaving residues of the product that generated the chemical odor during the flight. Additionally, the mixture concentration of the cleaning product was altered because the technicians used a high-concentration product, affecting the preparation of the solution.
The investigation concluded that the insufficient drying time and improper mixture concentration were contributing factors to the odor event.
Preventive Measures Issued
The Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Board (JIAAC) issued the following preventive recommendations to CONVIASA:
- Incorporate a pressurization procedure after aircraft washing to verify conditions.
- Ensure that cleaning products and quantities are appropriate for mixture preparation.
- Follow established maintenance procedures for aircraft and component washing.
- Verify procedure modifications after establishing the formula for compressor wash on fan blades.
- Ensure strict compliance with quality control, inspection, and verification tasks for all maintenance procedures.