The takeoff of an Boeing 777-300 from Latam, with capacity for around 400 passengers and destined for Lisboa, The decision was taken after the aircraft registered an indication of a temperature above the limit in engine number 2, as detailed in an occurrence history recorded in the Painel SIPAER of the Centro of Investigação and Prevenção of
The incident occurred on a Sunday, February 15, and generated moments of apprehension and panic among passengers on board. Apesar after the scare, the emergency procedures were carried out effectively, ensuring that no one was injured during the event, which was already beginning the ascent when it was aborted by the crew command.
According to the official record, all planned protocols were promptly activated and the takeoff was safely stopped. The aircraft managed to clear the runway by its own means, and was subsequently sent to the maintenance team for the necessary checks and repairs.
Classification and monitoring of the occurrence
Cenipa, through Painel SIPAER, a public consultation platform that compiles records and technical information on aeronautical incidents, classified the event as an aeronautical incident. Essa classification indicates that the occurrence affected, or could affect, the safety of the flight, but without resulting in an accident with injuries or serious damage to the aircraft.
The agency reported that the case was handled in accordance with Anexo 19 of Convenção on Aviação Civil Internacional, which establishes global operational security management protocols. In practice, this means that the incident has been integrated into aviation safety monitoring systems, allowing the aircraft operator to analyze it within its own internal procedures, with a view to preventing future occurrences.
The registration in Painel SIPAER was documented in an Reporte Final, which consolidates all available information about the case. Este type of document is informative and preventive, without issuing a final detailed investigation report, since the nature of the event did not constitute a serious accident.
Panic among passengers and security procedures
The moment the takeoff was interrupted caused great apprehension. Vídeos amateur footage taken by passengers and recordings from the Aviação Guarulhos channel on YouTube captured the sequence of the event, which showed the plane braking sharply after having already gained considerable speed on the runway. Relatos of a couple of passengers on board described scenes of panic, with people crying and in despair inside the cabin.
Bruna Pedrazzi, financial planning analyst and passenger on the flight, described the sensation: “We felt the plane rise. Após After take-off was rejected, the plane’s brakes became hot, requiring firefighters to intervene to cool them down.
What does it mean to abort a takeoff in aviation?
Halting a takeoff, although scary for passengers, is a normal and safe procedure in aviation. Especialistas in the sector explain that this decision is not made improvised, but rather based on precise technical calculations and rigorous safety protocols, established long before the aircraft enters the runway. Specific Limites are defined in advance, varying according to the actual conditions of the aircraft and airport in question.
By Regulamento Brasileiro of Aviação Civil, of Agência Nacional of Aviação Civil (Anac), each takeoff is planned based on a crucial speed, known as decision speed (V1). Este parameter is fundamental, as it defines the point at which it is safe to abort the takeoff and, conversely, from which point the aircraft must necessarily continue with the procedure, even if a failure occurs.
Importance of decision speed (V1)
The interruption of a takeoff can occur at any time after the start of the run on the runway. The reasons for this variation are diverse, ranging from human errors and technical or calculation failures to unforeseen meteorological problems or malfunctions in aircraft components, such as an engine overheating.
In the specific case of the Latam flight, although the company did not disclose the exact reason, the passengers were informed by the pilot about the overheating of one of the engines. The plane was already at high speed and had begun the lifting phase when it braked suddenly, requiring firefighters to cool the tires.
According to commander Décio Correa, president of Fórum Brasileiro for Desenvolvimento of Aviação Civil, in situations such as that of Boeing of “In the case of the Boeing 777-300, as it is a twin-engine plane, there is no way you can risk a takeoff if you have, for example, any indication of a high temperature that could compromise it. Therefore, there is total reason to abort the takeoff if there are conditions to abort,” he explained.
Correa emphasizes that aborting is a normal and expected procedure for any aviator when faced with an indication of a problem, guaranteeing the safety of everyone on board. Ele details that the pilot’s decision depends on a thorough analysis of factors such as runway length, ambient temperature and aircraft weight, which together determine V1.
Factors that influence the calculation of V1
V1 speed is not a fixed number. According to Geraldo Portela, a risk management specialist, this speed is dynamically calculated by the aircraft’s onboard computer for each flight. Vários criteria are weighted for this definition:
- Aircraft weight:Aeronaves heavier vehicles require greater speed to achieve the lift necessary for takeoff, increasing V1.
- Track conditions:The length of the runway, its slope and surface conditions (dry, wet, contaminated) directly influence it.
- Airport altitude and atmospheric conditions:At high altitudes or with less dense air, higher speeds are needed to generate lift.
- Flaps configuration:The position of the flaps on the wings affects lift and drag during the takeoff run.
Portela emphasizes that the on-board computer seeks a mathematical balance between all these variables, defining the ideal V1 for that specific condition. Ele concludes that, “the aircraft is adjusted to its actual condition at that airport, with that load, on that specific day”, demystifying the idea of a standard speed.
Anac regulation for engine failures
Regulamento Brasileiro of Aviação Civil establishes clear guidelines for engine failure situations during takeoff. If the failure occurs before the aircraft reaches the decision speed (V1), the protocol requires that the takeoff be aborted. Nesta condition, the aircraft still has the ability to stop safely within the available distance on the runway, since the speed is lower and the interruption can be managed effectively with immediate action.
On the other hand, if engine failure occurs after the decision speed has been reached, the regulations determine that the aircraft already has sufficient speed and power to complete the takeoff safely, using the remaining distance on the runway. Tentar stopping the aircraft at this stage would be inappropriate and dangerous, as the high speed would make safe braking unfeasible within the available space.
Positioning of companies and airport
Latam Airlines Brasil issued a statement clarifying that the interruption of the takeoff of flight LA8146 (Guarulhos-Lisbon) was a “procedure carried out in complete safety and is the protocol envisaged for this type of situation”. The airline ensured that it provided full assistance to customers, who were disembarked and re-accommodated in hotels and other flights, reinforcing that safety is a non-negotiable value and a priority in all its operations, following the highest technical and regulatory standards.
GRU Airport, the concessionaire responsible for managing Aeroporto of The concessionaire reported that the firefighting team was called in accordance with protocol, and the aircraft moved by its own means to a safe area. GRU Airport concluded the note by stating that there were no injuries and that the airport operation continued without significant interruptions.
