LOS ANGELES — A cargo aircraft experienced a dramatic tire failure and fire while landing at Los Angeles International Airport, prompting crews to close one runway while the aircraft was removed.
The incident occurred Wednesday night when a DHL cargo plane landed at LAX. Video from the airport showed smoke and flames coming from the aircraft's tires shortly after touchdown.
Emergency Crews Respond at LAX
The aircraft's wheels reportedly suffered a serious failure during the landing.
Airport crews responded quickly and worked to secure the aircraft and remove it from the runway.
The incident temporarily affected airport operations.
An LAX spokesperson said one runway was closed while crews worked to remove the aircraft, although there were no major airport-wide delays reported at the time of the initial response.
Incidents involving aircraft on runways can create significant logistical challenges at one of the busiest airports in the United States.
Runway closures can force airport operators to adjust aircraft movements, potentially creating delays for arriving and departing flights.
LAX handles hundreds of thousands of aircraft movements each year, making runway availability particularly important.
Cargo operations are also a major part of the airport's activity.
DHL and other international logistics companies use LAX to move goods throughout Southern California and around the world.
The incident therefore attracted attention from both aviation observers and travelers.
Videos showing the aircraft's tires smoking and burning circulated after the incident, providing a dramatic view of the emergency response.
Airport officials and investigators will determine the precise cause of the tire failure.
Aircraft tire problems can result from a variety of mechanical or operational factors, and investigators typically examine the aircraft, landing gear and runway conditions.
For passengers, the incident served as another reminder of the complex safety systems operating behind every commercial flight.
Although airport incidents can look dramatic, emergency crews are trained to respond quickly to aircraft fires and mechanical problems.
Operations at LAX were expected to continue while crews completed the necessary inspection and recovery work.
The incident did not result in a reported major disruption across the entire airport.
