LAX Cargo Plane Fire
DHL Cargo Plane Catches Fire During Emergency Landing at LAX
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Key Points
1
The plane touched down on Runway 25L at LAX and came to rest on the southern runways near the Sepulveda Tunnel.
2
The aircraft involved is a Boeing 737-800 freighter (BDSF) operated for DHL by Kalitta Charters II.
3
Video and photos showed significant tire damage on the left side, with rear tires severely damaged (reports described four rear tires) and water on the runway.
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Air traffic control audio captured the pilot reporting that the brakes locked up during landing.
A DHL cargo plane caught fire during an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport late Wednesday night after its brakes locked up on touchdown. The ABC News Boeing 737-800 freighter, operated by Kalitta Charters II, landed on Runway 25L from Phoenix around 11:10 p.m. with flames erupting from its tires as it skidded to a stop. The Los Angeles Fire Department extinguished the blaze, and no injuries were reported among the crew.
Video footage showed severe tire damage on the left side of the aircraft, with all four rear tires engulfed in flames and debris scattered across the runway. CBS News reported the pilot told air traffic control that the brakes locked during landing, triggering the emergency response. The incident caused a temporary runway closure as investigators began examining what caused the mechanical failure.
Locked Brakes Lead to Fiery Skid on Runway
The aircraft experienced a catastrophic brake failure as it touched down on Runway 25L at LAX. According to Air Live, the Boeing 737-800 cargo jet suffered a brake lockup during landing, causing the wheels to stop spinning while the plane continued sliding forward. The friction between the tires and runway generated extreme heat, igniting all four rear tires almost immediately upon impact.
CBS News captured audio of the pilot reporting the brake system malfunction to ground control. Water visible on the runway in video footage suggests emergency services were already responding as the plane came to rest near the Sepulveda Tunnel on the southern runways. The intense flames required the full resources of the Los Angeles Fire Department to extinguish safely.
No Injuries as Crew Evacuates Burning Freighter
Despite the dramatic fire and smoke, the incident resulted in no injuries to the aircraft's crew or any personnel on the ground. The cargo plane's crew successfully evacuated after landing, and emergency responders contained the fire quickly. Patch reported the incident occurred around 11:10 p.m. Wednesday, allowing darkness to make the flames more visible to first responders arriving at the scene.
The absence of passenger casualties was a key factor — this was an all-cargo flight carrying freight rather than people. The Boeing 737-800 freighter configuration meant minimal crew was aboard, and the quick response from LAX's emergency services prevented the situation from escalating further.
Investigation Focuses on Brake System and Maintenance
Authorities are now investigating what caused the brake lockup that led to the fire. Possible factors include brake pad wear, hydraulic system failure, incorrect landing procedures, or runway surface conditions. CBS News noted the brake system issue as central to understanding why the aircraft could not decelerate normally during landing.
DHL, Kalitta Charters II, and Los Angeles World Airports had not released formal statements confirming the mechanical cause as of initial reporting. Inspectors will examine the damaged tires, brake components, and landing gear to determine if maintenance records or pilot actions played a role. The investigation will be critical for determining whether the issue was an isolated mechanical failure or part of a broader safety concern.
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