Passengers aboard a LATAM Airlines flight have spoken of their terror and relief after the aircraft's tyres dramatically exploded during landing, forcing an emergency evacuation on the runway.
Chaotic Scenes as Cabin Shakes on Touchdown
The incident occurred on the evening of Tuesday, 7th January 2026, as LATAM Airlines flight LA2044, a Boeing 767-300ER jet travelling from Lima, Peru, touched down at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, USA. Witnesses described a loud banging noise reverberating through the cabin moments before violent shaking gripped the aircraft.
Passenger Liza Karseno told local broadcaster WSBTV: "We were landing fine. And then it sounded like, or felt like, the wheels had popped." She expressed profound relief, stating, "I was grateful to be alive, yeah, grateful to be here safely. I really don't care about the bags or anything else, just happy that everyone's safe."
Emergency Response and Investigation Launched
Emergency services, including the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, rushed to the runway following the blowout. Images from the scene showed the twin-jet aircraft surrounded by fire engines. All passengers and crew were safely evacuated from the plane, with no injuries reported.
The force of the incident caused significant damage. Photographs shared online showed tyres torn from the rims of the landing gear. The impact also damaged a bathroom door and caused overhead baggage storage compartments to spring open during the shaky landing.
An investigation is now underway to determine the exact cause of the tyre failure. The Boeing 767-300ER involved is a workhorse for LATAM Peru on long-haul routes, capable of carrying up to 221 passengers.
A Rare but Frightening Aviation Incident
While serious tyre failures during landing are statistically rare, they represent a heart-stopping emergency for those on board. The event in Atlanta echoes a similar incident last August, when a British holidaymaker described a TUI flight experiencing a tyre explosion during takeoff from Corfu, which he called a "one-in-10,000" accident.
In the LATAM incident, passenger Karseno recalled fearing the aircraft would not be able to stop, saying she questioned whether the aeroplane was "even gonna be able to stop" due to its speed. The successful evacuation and lack of injuries underscore the effectiveness of crew training and emergency protocols in managing such high-pressure situations.
The airline has been approached for comment regarding the ongoing investigation into the Boeing 767 landing incident.
