LATAM Plane Engine Catches Fire Before Takeoff in Lima, Passengers Evacuated
A fire broke out in the left engine area of a LATAM Airbus A320 bound for Piura at Peru's Jorge Chávez Airport. Passengers and crew were evacuated and no injuries were reported.
· · 1 min read
A fire broke out in the engine area of a LATAM Airlines Airbus A320 passenger plane during takeoff at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, the capital of Peru. Passengers and crew on flight LA2302, which was preparing to fly to Piura on Monday, October 19, were evacuated.
Flames seen beneath the left wing
The fire broke out around the plane's left engine and wing. Footage recorded by passengers and people at the airport showed flames rising from beneath the left wing and thick dark smoke spreading into the air. According to one passenger, the pilot had announced takeoff and the engines had powered up before the departure was abandoned. The same passenger said the captain later told those on board that takeoff was cancelled because of a problem with the left landing gear.
Airport firefighters reached the scene quickly and extinguished the flames. Everyone on the plane was disembarked as a precaution.
Statement from the airline
An unforeseen technical event occurred before takeoff, and for this reason, the preventive disembarkation of all passengers was determined, prioritizing their safety at all times.
LATAM Airlines
LATAM said affected passengers were being assisted and rebooked onto alternative flights to Piura. No injuries were reported. A technical inspection has begun to determine the cause of the fire, and airport officials said flight operations continued as normal.
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