Passenger airliner collides with fire truck, catches fire
A LATAM Airlines plane burst into flames after crashing into a fire engine during takeoff in Peru’s capital of Lima on Friday. The carrier confirmed that two firefighters perished in the incident, while 40 passengers on the jet were hospitalized.
According to medical services cited by the media, four of them were in serious condition.
The Airbus A320neo bound for the city of Juliaca in southeastern Peru was carrying 102 passengers at the time of the incident at Jorge Chavez International Airport.
Footage posted on social media depicts the moment of the collision and the fire that broke out in the immediate aftermath.
INCIDENT: LATAM Airlines Airbus A320neo CC-BHB collided with a fire truck on the runway during departure from Lima, Peru at 2010UTC today, causing extensive damage to starboard engine, gear & wing. A/c was evacuated. No word yet on injuries.Source plus more videos: @RochexRB27pic.twitter.com/WFxIz73xG3
— Airport Webcams (@AirportWebcams) November 18, 2022
One of the eyewitnesses described to the media a “harrowing feeling” as he watched the jet being devoured by the blaze, adding that the “flames were very tall.”
LATAM Airlines A320neo has been hit by a vehicle crossing the runway while taking off from Lima Airport in Peru. More to follow. pic.twitter.com/oPchYx7nbM
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) November 18, 2022
Authorities are currently investigating how the fire truck ended up on the runway during the plane’s takeoff. The prosecutor’s office said the case could be classified as manslaughter.
LATAM Airlines’ Peru branch pledged to cooperate with the investigators and provide all the necessary assistance to those affected.
The incident led to the entire airport being closed, with the administration stating that it expected operations to be resumed no sooner than 1pm on Saturday (1800 GMT).
