A DHL cargo aircraft caught fire during an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) late on August 26 after experiencing a brake system problem. The aircraft arrived from Phoenix at around 11 p.m. local time when its brakes reportedly locked during the landing roll.
The Boeing 737 freighter, operated by Kalitta Charters on behalf of DHL, suffered severe damage to its rear tyres, with flames and smoke visible as the aircraft moved along the runway. Emergency crews responded quickly and extinguished the fire.
Air traffic control temporarily closed the affected runway and instructed other aircraft to avoid the area while emergency teams dealt with the incident. The aircraft was subsequently being prepared for removal and further inspection.
All crew members were reported safe, with no injuries. The US Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident and the cause of the brake malfunction.