Aviation24.be reports LATAM Flight 4292 landed successfully after returning to MDE, without passengers suffering serious injuries.
Videos Shows Aircraft Landing, Passengers Bracing
According to data from FlightRadar24, the flight departed Medellin on March 29, 2022 without incident, bound for Cartagena Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG). Shortly after takeoff, the pilots reported an issue with the front landing gear. The flight circled for 45 minutes south of the airport to burn fuel and determine the next move.
The nose gear wheel was locked in a 90-degree angle perpendicular to forward movement. After evaluating the situation, the pilots decided to return the aircraft to Medellin and attempt a landing.
Video captured on social media shows the Airbus A320 approaching the runway for landing, before touching down with the malfunctioning nose gear. Sparks and smoke are shown coming from the landing gear assembly, before the aircraft comes to a stop.
LATAM Airlines A320 makes emergency landing at Medellin Airport in Colombia due to a problem with its nose gear. Passengers and crew evacuated safely on the runway.
kmisanchez pic.twitter.com/icKj4kjX7c
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) March 29, 2022
Another angle of the video shows the aircraft streaking down the runway immediately after landing, with the front gear shooting off sparks and smoke.
LATAM Airbus A320 to Cartagena experienced a problem with its front landing gear, crew decided to performed an emergency landing back at José María Cordova Airport – Rionegro (Ant.) pic.twitter.com/N2WLkxOPVC
— Majesty (@joanpada7) March 30, 2022
Aboard the aircraft, a video shared by a passenger shows flyers bracing in the crash position prior to the landing. The video shows a wave of concern come over the cabin, as the flyers appear uncertain of their fate.
Así fue la angustia de los pasajeros del vuelo LA4292 que iba de Medellín a Cartagena y que aterrizó de emergencia en el aeropuerto José María Córdova, de Rionegro.
— David Calle (@davidcalle1) March 29, 2022
Photos shared by the Columbian Civil Aviation Authority shows the front wheel sheared in half from the impact with the tarmac.
#InformaciónImportante | A las 15:12 de hoy martes 29 de marzo un avión A-320 de la empresa Latam con matrícula CC – BAS que cubría la ruta Medellín – Cartagena tuvo que regresar al aeropuerto @AeropuertoMDE y realizar un aterrizaje de emergencia. pic.twitter.com/oXte4HlVrg
— Aeronáutica Civil de Colombia (@AerocivilCol) March 29, 2022
According to the authorities, the runway was shut down after landing to allow for passenger evacuation and response from emergency crews. No serious injuries were reported from the emergency landing.
The Civil Aviation Authority is currently investigating the incident. The LATAM U.S. website or social media accounts have not publicly commented on the landing.
Feature image courtesy: Colombian Civil Aviation Authority
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