On March 31, 2025, an incident occurred at Chapecó Airport in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, in which a LATAM Airlines Airbus A319-112 skidded off the runway. The flight, which had departed from São Paulo, ended in an incident that fortunately resulted in no injuries but temporarily disrupted air traffic.
The aircraft involved, registration PR-MYM, was operating flight LA3277 from São Paulo/Guarulhos–Governor André Franco Montoro International Airport (GRU) to Chapecó. The flight departed at 17:40 p.m. local time, and the aircraft had a scheduled arrival time of approximately 19:30 p.m. However, as the aircraft approached Chapecó, visibility deteriorated due to bad weather, leading to the initial aborted landing attempt.
During the second approach, the pilot attempted to land the aircraft on runway 29. Despite the second approach, the aircraft failed to stop in time and exited the runway. The aircraft eventually landed on the grass verge at the end of the runway, remaining within the airport's perimeter. Initial local media reports indicated that the incident was relatively minor and the aircraft had not sustained any major damage.
Reactions and initial information
Fortunately, the Aviation Safety Network (ASN) confirmed that no passengers or crew members were injured in the incident. A total of 112 passengers and five crew members were on board the flight. Passengers reacted with relief and even joy as the plane came to a stop, as seen in a video taken by a passenger. The video, shared by Brazilian media platform AEROIN, shows passengers streaming out of the cabin after the landing, which must have been dramatic for them, and responding to the incident with relief and celebration.
LATAM Airlines commented on the incident in an official statement on the X platform (formerly Twitter) on April 1, 2025. The airline confirmed that all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated from the aircraft after it overshot the runway. The incident led to a temporary disruption of air traffic at Chapecó Airport, with some flights being canceled.
"We would like to inform you that we have completed the evacuation of the aircraft in Chapecó," the airline stated in its update. The aircraft operated another flight the same day. This demonstrates that, despite the incident, the aircraft suffered no significant damage and was quickly ready for service after the necessary inspection.
Traffic disruptions and impacts on the airport
Following the incident, air traffic at Chapecó Airport was disrupted, with some flights having to be canceled and others being diverted for the next few hours. The airport itself confirmed that the incident caused delays but assured that operations resumed quickly. However, the exact impact on the flight schedule is not fully documented, and there have been no further reports of major air traffic disruptions.
LATAM Airlines reiterated that the safety of passengers and crew is its top priority and pledged to further investigate the incident to determine whether there were any deficiencies in the landing procedure or aircraft technology. The relevant authorities in Brazil, including the Brazilian Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), were also informed of the incident, and an official investigation process has been initiated.
Although initial reports pointed to adverse weather as the primary cause of the incident, the exact cause remains unclear. In such cases, both the aircraft's technical capabilities and the crew's actions are typically reviewed. There is currently no evidence that a technical failure of the aircraft or human error by the crew may have contributed to the incident. However, as with all incidents of this nature, all factors, including runway conditions, weather, and communication during the landing process, are being thoroughly investigated.
LATAM Airlines' safety record and history
LATAM Airlines is one of the largest airlines in Latin America and operates an extensive route network. The airline has a relatively good safety record, and incidents of this kind are rare. Nevertheless, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of continuous crew training, aircraft maintenance, and review of airport security measures, especially during adverse weather conditions.
In recent years, LATAM has consistently emphasized the importance of passenger safety and has made significant investments in pilot training and technology to improve aircraft maintenance. Despite this incident, the airline has not experienced any serious accidents to date, which has also earned it a positive reputation within the industry.