What happened
On August 23, 2024, at 15:35 UTC, a Learjet was conducting a flight suitability test involving personnel from the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) when the crew detected technical irregularities. While cruising en route from San Fernando International Airport toward Rosario, the crew observed indications of magnetic particles in the right engine, accompanied by noticeable vibrations and fluctuations in engine parameters.
In response to these indications, the crew elected to shut down the right engine. An emergency was declared, and the aircraft performed a return to its point of origin at San Fernando International Airport. There were no injuries reported among the crew or the passengers on board during the event.
The investigation
The preliminary investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the right engine. The JST examined the sequence of events following the detection of magnetic particles and the subsequent engine shutdown. The investigation established that the aircraft was operating under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) and was in the cruise phase of flight when the malfunction occurred.