Event Description
On 17 March 2025 at 15:00 UTC, a Beechcraft 200 with registration LV-IWS was taxiing prior to entering the runway at Aeropuerto Internacional General D. Martín Miguel de Güemes in Salta, Argentina. The aircraft was scheduled for a commercial non-regular flight to Campamento Fénix (Tincalayu, Catamarca). During taxi, the crew detected an odor of smoke, which intensified as they attempted to identify its source. They informed the control tower and decided to return to the apron to disembark passengers.
Once on the apron, the odor persisted and smoke was observed emanating from the floor of the passenger cabin. After the aircraft was de-energized, the smoke dissipated without requiring the use of fire extinguishers. The crew notified the tower that the situation was under control, disconnected the battery, and the aircraft was towed to the maintenance area for inspection.
Inspection Findings
Maintenance personnel from FLIGHTEC SRL removed the floor panels of the passenger cabin and confirmed that the smoke originated from the flaps motor, which exhibited excessive temperature, along with its component box. No signs of overheating were observed in the power supply cables or their terminals. Additionally, no evidence of high-temperature exposure was found in the area where the motor was installed.
Outcome
The maintenance team determined that replacement of the motor was unnecessary, as the event could have been caused by an over-command of the system on the electric motor or another cause not conclusively verified. After the inspection, which revealed no additional evidence or damage to the aircraft, it was returned to service.