On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, a dramatic scene unfolded at Venezuela’s Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, just outside Caracas, as a private Learjet 55—registered as YV3440—crashed during takeoff. The accident, which occurred at precisely 12:52 p.m., sent a thick plume of smoke billowing into the sky, visible from several points along the country’s central coastline. The incident immediately caught the attention of both local residents and the wider world, as videos of the aftermath—showing the heavy smoke rising from the airport’s main runway—quickly circulated across social media platforms, according to AP and local news outlets.
Authorities moved swiftly. The Venezuelan National Institute of Civil Aviation (INAC) confirmed that search and rescue protocols were activated within moments of the crash. "Search and rescue protocols were activated, resulting in the rescue of two passengers alive," the agency stated on its official Instagram account, as reported by AP. The two individuals rescued from the wreckage were described as “passengers” and, after receiving prompt medical attention, were reported to be in stable condition. The agency did not clarify whether there were additional occupants aboard the jet at the time of the accident, leaving some uncertainty about the full scope of the incident.
The Learjet 55 involved in the crash was no ordinary aircraft. According to multiple reports, including those from Celebritax and AP, this jet had a history of regular flights between Venezuela and Cuba, frequently serving as a transport link for members of the Chavista regime. Flight logs and tracking data from flightradar24 confirm that the jet had also traveled within Venezuela, as well as to Panama and Cancún, Mexico, over the past month. In fact, the most recent flight to Havana was recorded just the Saturday before the accident, highlighting the jet’s ongoing role in connecting Venezuela with key regional allies.
Maiquetía’s Simón Bolívar International Airport is Venezuela’s busiest, handling the vast majority of the nation’s international and domestic air traffic. Any disruption on its runways can cause significant ripple effects for travel schedules. As emergency teams raced to the scene and investigators began their work, partial closures and schedule adjustments were required, temporarily impacting the flow of flights in and out of the country. For travelers and airline operators alike, the event was an unsettling reminder of the complexities and risks inherent in modern aviation.
But what caused the crash? That’s the question on everyone’s mind. As of the time of publication, neither the probable cause of the accident nor the full list of occupants, the operator of the aircraft, or the planned itinerary had been disclosed by authorities. The National Institute of Civil Aviation announced the formation of an Accident Investigation Board tasked with uncovering the factors that led to the incident. "The official communication emphasized the immediate activation of the response mechanisms and the initiation of the technical forensic process required by aviation regulations," reported Celebritax. The investigation is expected to follow rigorous international protocols, but for now, the public—and the aviation community—must wait for answers.
The Learjet 55’s connection to the Venezuelan government and its allies adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story. According to Celebritax, the jet was regularly used by the Chavista regime for its frequent trips to Cuba. This is part of a broader pattern: during the government of Hugo Chávez, Venezuela gifted at least three Dassault Falcon private jets to Cuba. These aircraft, including a Dassault Falcon 900 (registration YV-2053, valued at $41 million) and two Dassault Falcon 50s (registrations YV-1128 and YV-1129), retained their Venezuelan registrations under the name of the state-owned company SATA (Servicio Autónomo de Transporte Aéreo). This arrangement allowed the planes to be repaired anywhere in the world without fear of U.S. sanctions, as the aircraft technically remained Venezuelan property. Cuba, for its part, simply removed the Venezuelan flag from the jets for appearances. In 2019, Cuban President Díaz-Canel notably used the Falcon 900 for a brief 24-hour visit to Mexico, underscoring the ongoing utility of these shared aviation assets.
The crash has also put a spotlight on the operational and political complexities surrounding Venezuela’s aviation sector. With the country facing ongoing economic and political challenges, the ability to maintain a robust and safe air transport network is more important—and more difficult—than ever. The use of state aircraft for international political travel, especially to close allies like Cuba, is a longstanding practice, but it also raises questions about maintenance standards, oversight, and the impact of international sanctions on aviation safety. The fact that these jets retain their Venezuelan registration to facilitate global repairs is a telling detail about how nations under sanction navigate the constraints imposed by the international community.
For the people living near Maiquetía and those traveling through Simón Bolívar International Airport, Wednesday’s accident was an unsettling event. Witnesses described seeing the impact and the immediate aftermath, with thick, dark smoke quickly obscuring the runway. Videos of the scene, shared widely online, captured the shock and confusion in real time. For many, the images served as a stark reminder of the risks that accompany air travel, even in the most routine circumstances.
As the investigation proceeds, Venezuelan authorities have pledged transparency and a thorough technical review. The Accident Investigation Board is expected to examine every aspect of the incident—from mechanical systems and pilot actions to weather conditions and maintenance records. Until the results are released, speculation will no doubt continue, but the focus remains on ensuring the safety of future operations and understanding what went wrong on that fateful Wednesday afternoon.
For now, the two survivors are recovering, and the airport has gradually resumed normal operations. The story of the Learjet 55 crash serves as both a cautionary tale and a window into the often-unseen world of political aviation in Venezuela. As more details emerge, the country—and the world—will be watching closely to see what lessons can be learned and what changes, if any, will follow in the wake of this high-profile accident.