A LATAM Airlines Perú Boeing 767-300ER returned to Lima on October 16, 2026, after an in-flight technical issue prompted the deployment of passenger oxygen masks on a flight bound for São Paulo, Brazil.

Flight LA2424 had been cruising at approximately 33,000 feet when the crew initiated an emergency descent and diverted back to Jorge Chávez International Airport. The aircraft landed safely with no reported injuries, and LATAM arranged a replacement plane to take passengers to their destination later that day.

33,000 → 10,000 ft

Emergency Descent

Squawk 7700

General Emergency Code

1 h 43 min

From Departure to Safe Return

~6 h 15 min

Arrival Delay in São Paulo

What Happened on Flight LA2424

Friday, October 16
  • ~9:48 a.m.LA2424 departed Lima (LIM) for São Paulo–Guarulhos (GRU).
  • In cruiseAt around 33,000 feet, approximately 300 nautical miles southeast of Lima, a technical issue developed and passenger oxygen masks deployed. The flight reportedly transmitted code 7700.
  • DescentThe pilots brought the aircraft down to approximately 10,000 feet and turned near the Ica region back toward the Peruvian capital.
  • ~11:31 a.m.The Boeing 767 landed safely at Jorge Chávez International Airport, with no reported injuries.
  • AfternoonA replacement aircraft departed Lima and reached São Paulo approximately six hours and 15 minutes behind schedule.

The Aircraft Involved

CC-CWV

Original Aircraft

The Boeing 767-300ER that experienced the technical issue. According to subsequent reporting, it remained on the ground in Lima for an extended period. No details of its maintenance status were available.

CC-CWF

Replacement Aircraft

Another Boeing 767-300ER, identified by flight-tracking records, which operated the journey to São Paulo later the same afternoon.

Cause Not Yet Confirmed

LATAM Airlines Perú confirmed that a technical issue occurred and that the crew activated the appropriate safety procedures, returning to Lima to prioritize the safety of everyone on board.

Some aviation reports attributed the descent to a possible loss of cabin pressure, but LATAM had not publicly confirmed that explanation. The deployment of oxygen masks alone does not establish the exact technical fault. Until verified information is released, cabin depressurization should be treated as a reported possibility rather than a confirmed cause.

Why Do Oxygen Masks Deploy?

Cabin Pressure

At cruising altitude, outside air pressure is too low to breathe safely. The pressurization system keeps the cabin comfortable during normal flight.

Supplemental Oxygen

If cabin pressure falls unexpectedly, masks deploy automatically or manually to protect passengers while the crew responds.

Emergency Descent

Descending to around 10,000 feet is a standard response that helps establish a safer breathing environment, depending on conditions.

LATAM’s Response

LATAM said passengers received assistance after the aircraft’s return and that arrangements were made to complete the service the same day. The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience and reiterated that the safety of passengers and crew remained its priority.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Lima–São Paulo flight returned to Lima on October 16, 2026, after a technical issue caused passenger oxygen masks to deploy and the crew made an emergency descent.

No. The aircraft landed safely, with no reported injuries among passengers or crew.

LATAM confirmed a technical issue but has not identified the specific fault. Some reports pointed to a possible loss of cabin pressure, which has not been officially confirmed.

It was cruising at around 33,000 feet, approximately 300 nautical miles southeast of Lima, and turned back near the Ica region.

The aircraft departed at about 9:48 a.m. and landed back in Lima at about 11:31 a.m., around one hour and 43 minutes later.

Yes. A replacement Boeing 767-300ER (CC-CWF) operated the flight the same afternoon, arriving about 6 hours and 15 minutes behind schedule.

A Boeing 767-300ER registered as CC-CWV, operated by LATAM Airlines Perú.

Transponder code 7700 is the general emergency code that alerts air traffic control that an aircraft is experiencing an emergency.

If cabin pressure may be lost, descending to around 10,000 feet helps establish a safer breathing environment without relying on the pressurization system.

LATAM confirmed a technical issue, said the crew followed safety procedures, expressed regret for the inconvenience and said passengers received assistance.