LATAM A320neo Has Takeoff Accident In Lima, Collides With Vehicle

LATAM A320neo Has Takeoff Accident In Lima, Collides With Vehicle

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While details are limited as of now, a LATAM jet had a pretty major accident on takeoff this afternoon, and sadly there are some casualties.

LATAM aircraft hits vehicle on takeoff, catches fire

This incident involves a roughly five year old LATAM Airbus A320neo with the registration code CC-BHB. The jet was supposed to operate a short 524-mile domestic flight from Lima (LIM) to Juliaca (JUL), LA2213, departing at 2:55PM and arriving at 4:30PM.

Unfortunately the flight never ended up leaving the ground in Lima. Based on airport security camera footage shared online, the plane was in the process of taking off from the runway when it collided with a vehicle.

According to data from Flightradar24, the jet reached a maximum speed of 127 knots (approaching the plane’s takeoff speed) before coming to a stop toward the end of the runway.

How far LA2213 got down the runway

Per footage from other angles, it’s pretty clear that the incident involved an airport fire truck, and that multiple fire rescue vehicles were responding to an incident.

Social media posts show the plane being on fire when it came to a stop, with significant damage.

Some passengers posted to social media after successfully evacuating. Based on a picture from one of the passengers, it looks like the right engine separated from the rest of the plane.

The good news is that LATAM has confirmed that all passengers and crew managed to get off the plane alive. Hopefully there aren’t any major injuries among passengers.

The bad news is that Peru’s Minister of Justice reports that there are two deaths and one injury among people who were in the fire truck. My thoughts are with their families… ugh, how awful.

I’m curious what the cause of this was

As far as aircraft accidents go, this should be one of the easier ones to figure out. Presumably the LATAM A320neo and vehicle didn’t both have permission to be on the runway at the same time. So the question comes down to whether the LATAM A320neo had takeoff clearance, or if the vehicle had permission to be on the runway.

As mentioned above, it appears to be a fire truck that was hit. While there may very well have been an emergency, that doesn’t change the need for clearance to cross a runway (for this very reason).

Then I suppose the other question is why the pilots and driver didn’t see one another. I can completely understand how the pilots wouldn’t have seen this, as we’re talking about a small vehicle (relative to the size of the plane), and pilots are focused on other things while taking off.

The bigger question is how those in the vehicle didn’t see the plane barreling down the runway? It would appear that the car just drove onto the runway without the driver looking in both directions.

Bottom line

A LATAM Airbus A320neo had an incident this afternoon in Lima, as it collided with a fire truck on takeoff. Fortunately all passengers managed to get off the plane alive, though unfortunately among those in the vehicle, two people died and one person was injured.

What do you make of this LATAM incident in Lima?

Conversations (29)
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  1. Michael_FFM Diamond

    Instead of engaging in gossip for clicks, you may want to revisit your focus, and consider if becoming more like princeoftravel (aka OMAAT before all this BS) would be a worthwhile option.
    Currently OMAAT feels like a male LH flight attendant with a coffee too much.

    1. Eskimo Guest

      Too bad princeoftravel is more TPG before all selling out to corporate and not even close to OMAAT. (both do still have great contents)
      You want gossip and tabloid go to Gary. Always a smile whenever I link National Enquirer as a 'thought leader' in news.
      You want authenticity, which maybe is like having a chat with a LH flight attendant with a coffee (or Krug) too much, you come here.

    2. guisun Diamond

      Lol princeoftravel, from his own video he doesn't seem to hold qualms delaying Air France flight, affecting everyone on that flight, so he can get "his dream flight/seats". Or incentivize people to use mail forwarding service, and lie about US residency on CC application to open US credit card for sign up bonuses (and his referal link. Yeah, hard pass on princeoftravel.

  2. D3kingg Guest

    I’m surprised not to see many passengers with their carry on bags. Probably why most survived. Every second matters.

  3. Hobbs Guest

    100% the driver’s fault no matter who was granted clearance, authority, whatever. Emergency vehicles must clear the intersection and never assume that a vehicle is going to stop for them. The fact that this entirely avoidable accident involves a PLANE… was he expecting the pilot to yield?

  4. Eskimo Guest

    What a tragic incident. Another human error related aviation.
    Condolence to those affected.

    An ironic dark humor accident.
    The good news, fire trucks was already on the scene.
    The bad news, they collided with a fire truck.

    Technology to help prevent runway incursions already exists. It always come down to human factor. ATC, Pilot, vehicle, at least one party likely made an error. As with all the redundancy, I believe it's a series of events that led to the accident.

  5. Jetsetter Guest

    Remarkable airmanship on the part of the flight deck crew. Well done to the flight attendants who initiated evacuation on aircraft right. This could've been much worse.

  6. Endre Guest

    Humanity is so effed up. Your plane was involved in a major accident and then you have the audacity of taking a selfie for social media? Jezzz.

    1. Stu Guest

      Feeling helpless and powerless are among the most intolerable feelings one can experience. We make jokes about tragedies, rubberneck to examine post motor vehicle accident debris and, yes, now we take selfies and post on social media after we walk away from anb airline accident. As hard as it is to fathom….they will live with the nightmares, smell, sounds and sensations of near death, too. Just sayin’…

    2. Eskimo Guest

      And to tell friends & family that they are safe. Can't think of a more efficient way to communicate without answering dozen phone calls, listening to countless voicemail, and replying to hundred of texts.

      Maybe flying too much paid First Class makes you misery and alone with no friends. Right Endre-nezer Scrooge?

      Humanity are so effed up, people only see the negative sides they want or believe in propaganda news machines. Jezzz

    3. John Guest

      @Endre

      Totally agree! And the worst thing is the age of the two idiots. You expect and can overlook that selfie behaviour in teens/young adults. But in fully grown and supposedly 'mature' adults?! One word: Embarrassing.

    4. ImmortalSynn Guest

      Ya know what's even worse? Judgmental f*cks who don't know the whole story?

      HTF do you know if this isn't their way of trying to show their loved ones that they're okay? Or dealing with the stress of the situation by being able to show their story instead of just telling it.

      In short: whoTF are you to judge? No one. Get over yourself.

    5. steve Guest

      Pilots can't anticipate fire trucks ramming into their wing on takeoff. Pilots have hundreds of things to worry about during takeoff but firetrucks crashing into them isn't something pilots plan for- yes ... worry about bird strikes, fires, engine performance/failure, weather, tire blowouts, other planes in our paths, etc. Obviously the driver of the fire truck had more opportunity to see the situation and react even if the traffic controller f'd up (which we don't...

      Pilots can't anticipate fire trucks ramming into their wing on takeoff. Pilots have hundreds of things to worry about during takeoff but firetrucks crashing into them isn't something pilots plan for- yes ... worry about bird strikes, fires, engine performance/failure, weather, tire blowouts, other planes in our paths, etc. Obviously the driver of the fire truck had more opportunity to see the situation and react even if the traffic controller f'd up (which we don't know yet) - the pilot had just rotated and committed to take off so his options were slim to none. Plane brakes / airbrakes at takeoff "rotation: speeds of 130-165 MPH were essentially useless. Kudos to Airbus, Boeing and the air certification agencies for designing and approving aircraft to withstand amazing destruction without loss of life. Query what the design standards were for firetruck certification. Sympathy goes to the families of the deceased firemen.

    6. Endre Guest

      Riiiight. Because they took the photo just to notify their loved ones. You are free to believe that. And Eskimo, how many more times must I tell you dumbfck that you constantly confuse me with that other Endre who had/has a profile pic? Now, eff off.

    7. Eskimo Guest

      Ok I get it now.
      You need to use profanity to overcompensate your small package and empty wallet. Jealous that the other Endre still had money to fly Paid First Class. You're the poor bastard who is misery and alone with no friends and no money.

      Just because no one loves you and confuse you with someone else doesn't mean other people don't have loved ones.
      Overcompensating doesn't solve your problems, you just...

      Ok I get it now.
      You need to use profanity to overcompensate your small package and empty wallet. Jealous that the other Endre still had money to fly Paid First Class. You're the poor bastard who is misery and alone with no friends and no money.

      Just because no one loves you and confuse you with someone else doesn't mean other people don't have loved ones.
      Overcompensating doesn't solve your problems, you just need to get a new name that doesn't make you feel small. My advice, avoid common names like Karen or John. Many people with those names exhibit the same low self esteem and crave attention just like you.

  7. Gravelly Point Guy Guest

    Prayers, prayers, prayers.

  8. GBOAC Diamond

    OMG. Saturday 11/5 we flew from LIM to CUZ on LATAM 2011 operated by CC-BHB.
    (I know it's just a coincidence but still....)

  9. derek Guest

    The photos that I saw show the passengers without luggage. I think when the passengers see fire, they run without getting their luggage. When they don't see fire, they get their luggage.

    1. ryan Guest

      Anyone who takes their luggage off during an evacuation should have their luggage destroyed.

    2. Jordan Diamond

      As someone that has evacuated an aircraft onto a runway and told to run, I have first-hand experience.

      It might be worthwhile for others to state if they have ever been in a similar situation, before spouting off negative comments about people who grab their luggage. You have zero idea what is going through one's mind at that time.

    3. JS Guest

      Unfortunately that is not true. There have been multiple evacuations involving fire where passengers collected their cabin luggage. For example the Sukhoi Superjet crash in Moscow. 41 people were trapped and died in the flames, yet there were people carrying their cabin bags out.

  10. Juan Guest

    As someone who has been to Peru 6 times and has family in Lima, it's clear that this is typical Lima driver behavior!

    But on a serious note, I'm glad that no one was killed or seriously injured. That could have ended badly. It amazes me how the driver of the vehicle didn't bother to look and see if a plane was coming down the runway. I get that the pilot may not have been...

    As someone who has been to Peru 6 times and has family in Lima, it's clear that this is typical Lima driver behavior!

    But on a serious note, I'm glad that no one was killed or seriously injured. That could have ended badly. It amazes me how the driver of the vehicle didn't bother to look and see if a plane was coming down the runway. I get that the pilot may not have been able to see (let alone stop) in time, but there's no excuse for a driver at an active airport to make such a mistake.

  11. JO Guest

    My daughter's flight from Miami to Lima landed MOMENTS before this. Now she's stuck, as they were supposed to fly to Cusco. Any cheap airport hotels recommended? I don't thing our Sapphire insurance will pay, as only the RT flight to Lima was put on the Sapphire - they put the next flight on a different card (how could she be MY daughter!?)

    1. Jr Guest

      Ever heard of hotels.com?

    2. Jo Guest

      Wow - snark really necessary? I was asking for recommendations.

    3. Antonio Guest

      If you want recommendations note that LIM area is a bit dangerous... :)

  12. Mike Guest

    @Lucky - I don't think you get how fast this happened from a cockpit POV.

    As I pilot, I can tell you that after you are cleared for takeoff, you are focused on flying the plane. The A320 was at V1 (rotating) when the vehicle started crossing. There would have been ZERO chance for the pilot to avoid the collision.

    That leaves only two options;

    Option 1. the vehicle did not have permission...

    @Lucky - I don't think you get how fast this happened from a cockpit POV.

    As I pilot, I can tell you that after you are cleared for takeoff, you are focused on flying the plane. The A320 was at V1 (rotating) when the vehicle started crossing. There would have been ZERO chance for the pilot to avoid the collision.

    That leaves only two options;

    Option 1. the vehicle did not have permission to cross and went on their own, thinking they had time to get across the runway before the plane reached them. (Ben - think Brightline and cars!)

    Option 2. The controller gave the vehicle permission to cross after clearing the jet for takeoff.

    My instinct is the vehicle saw other vehicles crossing and just 'went for it'.

    1. FlyerDon Guest

      As a pilot I can tell you that you don’t rotate an A320 at V1.

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

ImmortalSynn Guest

Ya know what's even worse? Judgmental f*cks who don't know the whole story? HTF do you know if this isn't their way of trying to show their loved ones that they're okay? Or dealing with the stress of the situation by being able to show their story instead of just telling it. In short: whoTF are you to judge? No one. Get over yourself.

2
Endre Guest

Humanity is so effed up. Your plane was involved in a major accident and then you have the audacity of taking a selfie for social media? Jezzz.

2
Gravelly Point Guy Guest

Prayers, prayers, prayers.

2
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