All Eight Tires Burst on LATAM Boeing 767 During Harrowing Atlanta Landing
ATLANTA, Ga. — A dramatic landing at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport left passengers shaken but unharmed when all eight tires on a LATAM Airlines Boeing 767 burst upon touchdown. The aircraft, LATAM Flight 2482, had just completed a seven-hour journey from Lima, Peru, when the incident occurred Tuesday evening, prompting emergency crews to rush to the runway.
According to Federal Aviation Administration guidelines and aviation experts, tire blowouts during landing are not uncommon, but the simultaneous failure of all eight tires is extraordinarily rare. Retired Delta pilot Capt. Paul Carr, who has extensive experience flying Boeing 767s, suggested that a malfunction in the plane’s automatic braking system likely caused the disaster. “More than likely, the brake system logic … malfunctioned, and it locked up all the brakes and just caused them to blow,” Carr told local media.
Passengers onboard the flight described hearing multiple loud popping sounds as the plane touched down, followed by visible smoke billowing from the landing gear. Images captured by witnesses showed dislodged cabin panels and a bathroom door torn from its hinges, underscoring the severity of the landing failure. Despite the chaos, no injuries were reported.
After the tires burst, the aircraft remained stranded on the tarmac for approximately two hours while airport staff coordinated evacuation efforts. The 221 passengers were eventually transported to the terminal by bus. Social media posts from airport employees recounted the unsettling experience, with one worker noting the loud bangs and smoke, while another passenger described the unsettling sensation of wheels “rattling on the tarmac” for an unusually long time.
The incident temporarily closed one of Atlanta’s busy runways, disrupting airport operations. Hartsfield-Jackson, the world’s busiest airport by passenger numbers, is no stranger to handling emergencies swiftly and efficiently. The airport’s emergency response teams were on the scene immediately, ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are expected to examine the aircraft’s braking system and landing gear to determine the precise cause of the failure. The NTSB routinely investigates aviation incidents to improve safety standards and prevent future occurrences.
LATAM Airlines, one of Latin America’s largest carriers, has not yet released an official statement regarding the incident but is cooperating with authorities. The airline’s Boeing 767 fleet is a workhorse for long-haul flights across the Americas.
Experts note that modern aircraft are equipped with multiple redundant safety systems, and the absence of injuries in this incident highlights the effectiveness of pilot training and emergency protocols. The U.S. Department of Transportation emphasizes the importance of continuous safety improvements in commercial aviation, especially as air travel continues to rebound globally.
As investigators work to piece together the exact sequence of events, passengers and crew members involved in the incident are receiving support and assistance. The aviation community will be watching closely as the findings from this unusual landing failure emerge.
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