On the evening of December 26, LATAM Flight 3852 undertook an emergency landing at Brasília's Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport after declaring a situation of emergency. The flight, which was headed to Teresina, Piauí, took off around 21:45 but experienced issues shortly thereafter, prompting its return to the departure airport.
The Airbus A320, registered as PR-MHG, issued the emergency transponder code 7700, indicating dire circumstances. The aircraft circled over the Federal District for approximately 40 minutes before safely touching down at about 22:20.
According to the airline, the emergency was precipitated by the need for "unplanned corrective maintenance" on the aircraft. The crew maintained communication with air traffic control throughout the situation, and protocols were followed to secure the aircraft's safe return. The decision to bring the plane back was made just before it began its intended flight path to Teresina.
After the landing, the airport was placed on heightened alert, with emergency crews, including fire brigade vehicles, waiting for the aircraft's arrival due to the uncommunicated distress situation. LATAM spokespeople confirmed, "All passengers were disembarked safely" and highlighted the airline's commitment to security and operational safety practices.
Flight operations at the airport were temporarily halted until the landing was complete, with normal activity resuming shortly afterward. The airport administration, Infraero, communicated, "At 22:00, the LATAM flight requested to return to the airport shortly after taking off. The plane landed without any incidents about twenty minutes later. Due to safety protocols, airport operations were suspended until the aircraft's landing was assured, resuming at 22:27."
LATAM Airlines offered accommodation to its passengers, rebooking them onto another flight (LA9003) scheduled to depart at 21:05 on December 27. The airline expressed regret over the incident and reassured customers of their safety measures, stating they are committed to addressing all operational and technical standards necessary for secure air travel.
Passenger accounts shared moments of tension during the flight's circling, with one traveler mentioning feeling anxious when the aircraft seemed to descend too low. Despite these feelings, the pilots handled the situation proficiently, maintaining calm throughout the ordeal.
Within the local aviation community, there were reports of complications due to the plane's aircraft losing communication with the control tower. A cargo Boeing 737 nearby attempted to facilitate communication, but these efforts were unsuccessful. Videos posted on social media captured the emergency aircraft being escorted by emergency response teams upon its landing.
Tonight’s incident highlights the unpredictability and challenges faced by airlines, reinforcing the importance of stringent safety protocols. Passengers and crew alike can take solace knowing the immediate responsiveness of LATAM and the aviation authorities ensured their safe return to ground.
The airline is undertaking follow-up measures to investigate the causes behind the malfunction and reinforce its commitment to passenger safety. All operational reviews will aim to prevent similar occurrences and to secure the most effective paths of communication during any future emergencies.
