LIVE: Updated Aug. 27, 2026
A DHL cargo jet’s rear tires burst into flames during its landing at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday night, in a dramatic runway incident caught on video. The crew brought the aircraft to a stop and no injuries have been reported.
What happened
A DHL cargo aircraft’s rear tires burst into flames during its landing at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, around 11:10 p.m. local time. Video footage shows the jet touching down and, moments later, white smoke and then flames erupting from the rear wheels before the aircraft rolled to a stop on the runway. Emergency crews doused the aircraft with water and firefighters hosed down the affected tires as one set continued to burn.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Aircraft | DHL cargo jet (jetliner) |
| Airport | Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) |
| Date and time | Around 11:10 p.m. PT, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 |
| What happened | Rear (main) tires caught fire on landing; flames and sparks briefly wrapped around the rear fuselage |
| Outcome | Aircraft stopped on runway; firefighting crews responded; no crew injuries reported |
| Response | Air traffic control told other aircraft to temporarily avoid the runway while crews worked |
Brake lock-up comment raises questions
Audio shared from the incident captures a pilot saying, “I don’t know if we blew a tire but it feels like the brakes locked up.” The remark was made in the immediate aftermath of the landing and was not a formal finding. As of publication, representatives for LAX, the Los Angeles Fire Department, and DHL had not responded to requests for comment about the cause of the fire, the condition of the aircraft, or whether a formal investigation had opened.
What the video shows
Footage obtained by the plane-spotting site Airline Videos shows the DHL jet rolling down the runway with smoke rising from its rear tires. After the front tires made contact, three loud pops and flashes were heard and seen around the rear wheels, followed by flames that appeared to lick the rear fuselage. The aircraft continued along the runway before slowing to a stop, after which emergency vehicles arrived and began applying water.
Video
The primary footage below, from ABC7, shows the flames erupting from the DHL aircraft’s rear tires during the emergency landing. A second clip from KTLA 5 shows the firefight from a different angle.
Confirmed vs. not yet confirmed
| Confirmed | Not yet confirmed |
|---|---|
| Video shows flames and smoke coming from the DHL aircraft’s rear tires during the landing | The exact cause of the tire fire (the “brakes locked up” comment was the pilot’s on-scene remark, not an official determination) |
| Emergency crews responded and applied water to the affected tires | Whether a formal FAA or NTSB investigation has been opened |
| Reported no crew injuries at the time of publication | The full extent of damage to the aircraft |
| Air traffic control advised other aircraft to temporarily avoid the runway | Any operational impact on LAX flight schedules |
This is an emerging story, and details such as the cause of the fire and the aircraft’s condition may change as official information becomes available.
Frequently asked questions
Did anyone get hurt when the DHL plane caught fire at LAX?
No crew injuries had been reported as of publication, according to the Los Angeles Times. Officials had not yet responded to requests for comment at the time of writing.
Why did the plane’s tires catch fire?
The cause was not immediately confirmed. A pilot on the aircraft said in shared audio that it “feels like the brakes locked up,” but investigators have not issued an official finding.
Which plane was involved?
A DHL cargo jetliner. DHL is a major freight operator and frequently runs cargo flights through international hubs.
Did the airport shut down?
Air traffic controllers told other aircraft to temporarily avoid the affected runway so emergency crews could respond. The broader status of LAX operations was not specified by officials at the time of publication.
Was this a passenger flight?
No. The aircraft involved was a DHL cargo (freight) jet, not a passenger airliner.
Is this related to other recent aviation incidents?
It is an isolated incident. Recent reports have separately covered a Delta flight diversion and a drone incident near Leipzig airport, but there is no indicated connection to the LAX landing fire.
Sources: Los Angeles Times, ABC7, KTLA 5, TMZ, MyNewsLA.
