LATAM Boeing 767 nearly stalls after aborted Frankfurt landing in storm
A LATAM Airlines flight from Amsterdam faced a serious safety incident at Frankfurt Airport last June. The Boeing 767, operating as flight UC1502, aborted its landing due to a thunderstorm and narrowly avoided a critical situation. Investigators are now examining what went wrong.
The incident began on June 20, 2023, as the aircraft approached Frankfurt in stormy conditions. The crew attempted to land on the southern runway but aborted the procedure. Instead, the plane overflew the parallel centre runway while climbing.
During the attempted climb, data suggests the aircraft may have entered an aerodynamic stall. It dropped to just 580 metres with a speed of 90 km/h before the pilots regained control. Thirty-five minutes later, they landed safely.
Germany’s Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) is leading the probe. Their focus includes the crew’s actions, the aircraft’s performance, and external factors like weather. The Boeing 767 involved is part of Lufthansa’s fleet, though operated by LATAM on this route.
Preliminary findings from the investigation are due by the end of September. The incident highlights the challenges of landing in severe weather. Authorities will determine whether further safety measures are needed.
