LATAM Airbus A320 Exits Runway During Rainy Cascavel Landing
Photo: Carlos Daniel Dobelli from C.A.B.A., Argentina / CC BY 2.0 — via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) · source
A LATAM Airlines Airbus A320 veered off the runway while landing at Cascavel Airport in Brazil on August 31. Arriving from Sao Paulo Guarulhos amid reported thunderstorms and heavy rain, the aircraft touched down on Runway 15 before sliding off the left edge near the opposite threshold. All passengers and crew evacuated without injury, though the status of the airframe remains unconfirmed. For pilots, this event serves as a stark reminder of the hydroplaning and directional control risks inherent to active convective weather and wet runway operations.
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The recent runway excursion involving a LATAM Airbus A320 at Cascavel highlights the persistent operational threats posed by wet runways and convective weather. Meteorological reports from the time of the incident indicated thunderstorms, rain, and cumulonimbus clouds in the immediate vicinity. When precipitation builds up on the landing surface, aircraft tires can lose contact with the pavement, drastically reducing braking action and cornering friction. For flight crews, executing an approach during heavy rain demands strict adherence to stabilized approach criteria and a readiness to go around if conditions deteriorate. Runway 15 at Cascavel presented challenging dynamics, and the aircraft ultimately came to rest off the left side near the threshold for Runway 33. This lateral deviation underscores how quickly directional control can degrade when crosswinds interact with a contaminated runway surface. While all occupants disembarked safely and no injuries were reported, the event will likely trigger a comprehensive safety investigation. Authorities will analyze flight data recorder parameters to evaluate the approach speed, touchdown point, and the deployment of deceleration devices like thrust reversers and spoilers. Furthermore, investigators will look closely at the runway surface condition and drainage capabilities at the time of the event. For student pilots and seasoned airline professionals alike, reviewing such incidents reinforces the critical importance of conservative decision making when dealing with active thunderstorms and potentially flooded runways.