A DHL cargo plane just erupted into flames during a terrifying landing late Wednesday night at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The Boeing 737 plane was arriving from Phoenix around 11:00 p.m. when its landing gear malfunctioned on the runway.
Brakes lock up on touchdown
The dangerous incident occurred as the jet touched down and experienced severe mechanical issues. Air traffic control audio captured the pilot reporting: “I don’t know if we blew a tire but if feels like the brakes locked up.”
The sudden friction caused four rear tires to blow out and instantly ignite.
Sparks and flames captured on video
Bystander and airport surveillance videos showed bright sparks and heavy fire shooting out from underneath the aircraft’s left landing gear. Loud popping sounds echoed as the plane screeched down the runway with glowing flames trailing behind.
Emergency crew extinguish fire
Firefighters rushed to the scene immediately and sprayed fire-suppressing foam to extinguish the burning tires. Authorities shut down the runway to manage the emergency and inspect the heavy damage to the tarmac.
An airport representative confirmed, “Our emergency response teams reacted instantly to control the fire and secure the aircraft.”
No crew injuries reported
Despite the dramatic blaze, no injuries were reported among the flight crew. The Federal Aviation Administration has launched a full investigation into what caused the severe brake failure.
