Aerolíneas Argentinas 737-800 MAX precautionary landing in Tucumán (LV-HKU)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On December 14, 2018, Aerolíneas Argentinas flight AR1324, operating a Boeing 737-800 MAX with registration LV-HKU, departed from Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Ezeiza, Argentina, at 04:40 UTC. The flight was scheduled to Punta Cana International Airport in the Dominican Republic. During the cruise phase, the aircraft experienced vibrations in the left engine, prompting the crew to make a precautionary landing at Tucumán Delfín Gallo International Airport. The landing was normal, and all passengers and crew disembarked without incident. The aircraft sustained no damage. The incident was not officially reported to the Argentine Civil Aviation Accident Investigation Board (JIAAC), which learned of the event through media reports. Consequently, the aircraft could not be inspected at the scene. According to the information gathered, the left engine began experiencing vibrations of 4.2 after takeoff at flight level 310, with the maximum permitted level being 5. The crew followed the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) procedure for high engine vibration and headed to Tucumán. The aircraft descended to 27,000 feet, and the crew planned holding circuits at flight level 060 to burn fuel and reduce the aircraft's weight below the maximum landing weight.