What happened
On March 17, 2025, a Beechcraft 200, registration LV-IWS, was taxiing for departure at General D. Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport in Salta, Argentina. The aircraft was operating a non-scheduled commercial flight destined for Campamento Fénix in Catamarca.
During the taxi phase, the crew detected an odor of smoke. As the crew attempted to locate the source, the intensity of the odor increased. The pilot notified air traffic control and elected to return to the apron to disembark the passengers. Upon reaching the parking area, the crew confirmed that smoke was emanating from the passenger cabin floor. Once the aircraft's electrical systems were de-energized, the smoke dissipated without the need for fire extinguishers. The battery was disconnected, and the aircraft was moved to a maintenance area.
The investigation
A technical inspection was conducted by the maintenance provider, FLIGHTEC SRL. Technicians removed the floor panels in the passenger cabin to inspect the underlying components. The investigation established that the smoke originated from the electric motor of the flap system, which was found to be at an excessive temperature, as was its component box.
During the inspection, no signs of overheating were found on the electrical cables or terminals, and no evidence of high-temperature exposure was noted in the motor's installation area. The maintenance team concluded that the motor did not require replacement, as the overheating might have been caused by an electrical overcommand or another unverified factor.