Incident Overview
On November 13, 2022, at 16:26 UTC, a Israel Aircraft Industries Westwind 1124, registration YV3484, serial number 362, operated by AEROSUR C.A., departed from José Leonardo Chirino International Airport in Coro, Falcon State (SVCR), bound for Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, La Guaira State (SVMI). The aircraft carried eight persons on board: a pilot, a copilot, and six passengers.
After landing, the captain received clearance from the control tower to exit the runway via Intersection E. When applying the brakes, they failed. The captain reactivated the brakes, which then functioned, allowing control and continued taxiing toward Intersection F. Approaching Intersection F, both the brakes and the steering failed again. The crew immediately followed the QRH procedure, shutting down the engines and allowing the aircraft to coast until it came to rest off the taxiway, stuck in the grass near Intersection F.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft is a twin-engine turbofan land plane, model WW 1124, manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries, with FAA Type Certificate A2SW Revision 13 dated April 17, 1980. It has a retractable tricycle landing gear. The two engines are Garrett Air Research TFE-731-3-1G, each with a maximum thrust of 3,700 lbs. Maximum takeoff weight is 23,500 lbs. The aircraft had valid certificates of registration, airworthiness, and radiocommunication station issued by INAC, the aeronautical authority of the state of registry, and was used for corporate purposes.
At the time of the incident, the aircraft was airworthy per its valid airworthiness certificate and maintenance records. Insurance was also valid. The last scheduled preventive maintenance was performed on November 17, 2020, by OMAC N° 666 ELIKATY SERVICIOS AEREOS, C.A., located at Aeropuerto Metropolitano. The OMAC responsible for subsequent inspections and repairs is N° 656 S.C. INSTITUTO DE ESPECIALIDADES AERONÁUTICAS, in Barquisimeto, Lara State.
The pilot, aged 43, held valid medical certification, aeronautical license, and ratings: Instrument Flight, PIC on AC90, WW24, C500, C550, C560, and SIC on C650. The copilot, aged 45, also held valid documents with ratings: Instrument Flight, PIC on C550 and BE20, and SIC on WW24.
Meteorological and Operational Conditions
Weather conditions were good throughout the day, with winds 0 KT and unlimited visibility.
Investigation Activities
The Junta Investigadora de Accidentes e Incidentes de Aviación Civil (JIAAC) conducted the following activities:
- Notification of the incident
- Request for complete documentation of the pilot and copilot
- Maintenance reports and records
- Crew interviews
- Operator documents
- Certificate of registration and airworthiness
- Maintenance compliance certificate
- Noise certification
- JIAAC was present during aircraft extraction by aeronautical firefighters with support from PDVSA's OMAC
- JIAAC and OMAC N° 656 performed technical examinations and analyses
- Visual inspection of the fuselage for damage caused by becoming stuck in the grass and subsequent extraction revealed impact marks and damage from hydraulic fluid leakage through panels (Images 3-6)
- Review of hydraulic systems found several non-conformities:
- The hydraulic oil reservoir was empty (Images 7-8)
- One low oil pressure indicator light on the panel did not illuminate (Images 9-10)
- Evidence of previous leaks (Images 11-12)
- Filling the reservoir for leak testing revealed a hydraulic fluid leak in the line feeding the Anti-Skid Control Valve (Images 13-15)
- Testing of Valve #2 (RE) confirmed the missing warning light on the panel (Images 16-19)
Preventive Measures Issued
The JIAAC issued preliminary preventive measures to the owner/operator:
- Replace the hydraulic oil line showing the leak
- Replace Valve #2 (RE) to activate the cockpit panel warning light system
The investigation is ongoing, analyzing technical, operational, and documentary information for the final report.