Created Friday, Jan 8th 2021 14:50Z, last updated Thursday, Jan 14th 2021 16:45Z
A LATAM Brasil Airbus A320-200, registration PR-MYK performing flight
LA-3408 from Sao Paulo Guarulhos,SP to Joao Pessoa,PB (Brazil) with 136 passengers and 7 crew, was accelerating for takeoff from Guarulhos' runway 27R when already above V1 the aircraft hit a capybara on the runway. The crew continued takeoff, climbed to 9000 feet and entered a hold to assess the situation and burn off fuel, then returned to Sao Paulo for a safe landing on Guarulhos' runway 27R about 65 minutes after departure. The aircraft vacated the runway and stopped on the adjacent taxiway for inspection by emergency services, then was towed to the apron.
The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground for 3 days.
The runway was closed for about an hour while the runway was cleaned.
On Jan 14th 2021 Brazil's CENIPA reported all 136 passengers and 7 crew remained uninjured, the aircraft sustained minor damage. The occurrence was rated an incident, no investigation has been opened.
Adult capybaras typically weigh between 35 and 66kg, top weights 91 kg.
A family of capybaras swimming (Photo: Bob Johnson):
Related Flight:
LA3408,
LAN Airlines News
