Regulations & Safety
LATAM Boeing 767 Suffers Major Tire Blowout Landing in Atlanta
LATAM Airlines Flight LA2482 experienced a major tire blowout on landing at Atlanta airport; FAA investigation ongoing with no injuries reported.
This article summarizes reporting by WFSB and includes data from official FAA and LATAM Airlines statements.
LATAM Boeing 767 Suffers Major Tire Blowout Upon Landing in Atlanta
A LATAM Airlines flight arriving from Lima, Peru, experienced a significant landing gear failure at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) on the evening of Tuesday, January 6, 2026. According to reporting by WFSB and confirmed by federal regulators, the aircraft blew multiple tires immediately after touching down, stranding the jet on the runway for hours.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident involving Flight LA2482. While the mechanical failure caused substantial disruption at the world’s busiest airport, officials confirmed that the plane came to a safe stop and no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew.
This event marks another high-profile maintenance incident involving the Boeing 767 airframe, occurring just days after regulators issued new directives regarding landing gear inspections for the aging fleet type.
Incident Details and Passenger Accounts
Flight LA2482, operated by a Boeing 767-300ER (Registration CC-CXF), touched down on Runway 26R at approximately 7:38 PM EST. According to details emerging from the investigation, the aircraft suffered a blowout of all eight tires on the rear main landing gear assembly upon landing.
Inside the Cabin
Passengers onboard described a frightening conclusion to the international flight. Witnesses cited in reports by WFSB and other outlets characterized the landing as “rough” and “hard,” noting violent vibrations as the aircraft decelerated.
The physical force of the landing was reportedly severe enough to cause interior damage to the cabin. Passenger accounts indicate that a bathroom door was dislodged from its hinges during the rollout. Despite the intensity of the event, the cabin atmosphere reportedly remained relatively calm once the aircraft came to a halt.
“The plane landed safely and came to a controlled stop on the runway. No injuries were reported.”
, Summary of FAA Statement
Following the incident, passengers remained onboard for approximately two to three hours while emergency crews assessed the stability of the landing gear. Eventually, travelers were deplaned via stairs onto the tarmac and bussed to the international terminal.
Official Responses and Operational Impact
The incident triggered immediate responses from the airline, the airport, and federal regulators. Runway 26R was temporarily closed to facilitate the evacuation and the complex removal of the disabled wide-body aircraft.
Airline and Regulator Statements
In a statement regarding the event, the FAA confirmed that the jet “blew tires after safely landing” and noted that an investigation is underway to determine the root cause. LATAM Airlines acknowledged the “technical incident,” emphasizing that safety remains their priority and regretting the inconvenience caused to customers.
Delta Air Lines, which has a codeshare agreement with LATAM, clarified to reporters that the flight was operated entirely by LATAM crews and hardware, distinguishing their operations from the incident.
AirPro News Analysis
Context on the Boeing 767 Fleet
While the investigation into Flight LA2482 is in its early stages, AirPro News notes that this incident occurs within a broader context of scrutiny regarding the Boeing 767 platform. The aircraft involved is approximately 17 years old, a common age for this workhorse of the transatlantic and South American markets.
Significantly, this blowout follows a January 2025 FAA Airworthiness Directive requiring inspections of landing gear on specific Boeing 767 aircraft. That directive was prompted by previous reports of landing gear collapses and heat damage issues. While it is too early to link Tuesday’s event to these specific mechanical concerns, the failure of an entire main gear tire assembly (eight tires) is a rare severity that will likely draw intense focus from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA investigators.
We also observe that this incident compounds operational stress at Atlanta’s airport, which had already been recovering from runway equipment issues earlier in the week. The ability of the pilots to maintain directional control despite losing traction on the main gear suggests a high degree of airmanship, preventing a potential runway excursion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was anyone injured on LATAM Flight LA2482?
No. Despite the severity of the tire blowouts and reported interior damage, no injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
What caused the tires to blow out?
The official cause has not yet been determined. The FAA has opened an investigation to analyze whether the failure was due to mechanical malfunction, pilot input, or runway conditions.
What type of aircraft was involved?
The flight was operated by a Boeing 767-300ER, a wide-body twin-engine jet.
Did this flight belong to Delta Air Lines?
No. While it may have carried a Delta codeshare flight number, the aircraft and crew were from LATAM Airlines Peru.
Sources
Photo Credit: 11Alive