Tires on a LATAM Airlines plane blew out after it landed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Tuesday night, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed.
The flight, LA2482, had departed from Lima, Peru, and completed a seven-hour journey before arriving safely at the Atlanta airport. The FAA said the tires blew out after the aircraft had safely landed.
LATAM Airlines attributed the incident to a technical issue. “During the arrival of flight LA2482, operating the Lima–Atlanta route, a technical incident occurred that is currently under investigation and resulted in the aircraft remaining on the runway,” LATAM Airlines Peru said in a statement.
The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department confirmed that crews responded to the scene following reports of flat tires on the aircraft. Footage from the runway showed passengers disembarking while mechanics worked on the damaged tires.
Passengers described a rough landing, reporting that the plane shook violently, overhead bins opened, and at least one bathroom door came off its hinges. One passenger also noted that alcohol was not served on the seven-hour flight and the in-flight internet was not functioning.
Barbara Williams and Brandon Hagin, whose 15-year-old son was traveling home from Argentina with a layover in Lima, said they waited more than three hours after the incident for him to arrive. “I just want him to get his bag and go to bed. He left the airport there at 5 a.m.,” Williams said. Hagin added, “Accidents do happen, and the most important thing is the response and how quickly information gets communicated. It’s worrisome in general, but we were updated as promptly as possible.”
LATAM Airlines apologized for the incident and emphasized passenger safety. “LATAM Airlines Peru regrets any inconvenience this situation may have caused and reiterates that safety is a non-negotiable value in all its operations,” the airline said.
