Passengers aboard a LATAM Airlines Peru Airbus A320 were evacuated after a fire broke out in the aircraft’s left engine shortly before take-off at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru, on October 19.
The aircraft was scheduled to operate flight LA2302 from Lima to Piura in northern Peru when the incident occurred. Videos circulating on social media showed flames and thick smoke coming from the engine, with fire appearing to spread towards parts of the wing and nearby structures.
Airport emergency teams responded as the airline activated its safety procedures. LATAM said all passengers disembarked safely, with no injuries reported in the initial accounts of the incident.
“Our teams promptly activated the safety protocols and the passengers disembarked safely and correctly, following established procedures,” the airline said, describing the occurrence as an “unforeseen technical event”.
The carrier added that the cause was being investigated in accordance with the applicable procedures. It did not disclose the extent of the aircraft’s damage.
The aircraft was identified as registration CC-BFS, an Airbus A320-214 built in 2013 and powered by CFM International CFM56-5B4/3 engines.
LATAM said affected passengers were rebooked on a subsequent flight to Piura. The airline reiterated that passenger and crew safety remained its highest priority.
The investigation is expected to establish what caused the engine fire and determine the extent of any damage to the aircraft.
