LATAM Flight Returns to Gate After Baby Suffers Severe Finger Injury from Seatbelt
An incident occurred on a LATAM Airlines Brasil flight scheduled to depart from São Paulo-Congonhas Airport to Santos Dumont Airport in Rio de Janeiro.
The event took place while the Airbus A319 operating flight LA3122 was being towed toward the taxiway for takeoff. According to preliminary information from passengers on board, an infant suffered a severe finger injury during an interaction with a seatbelt.
Although the exact extent of the wound and the precise dynamics of the deep cut remain unclear, the aircraft immediately returned to the boarding gate as the pilot reported on the ground frequency that urgent medical assistance was required for the injured baby.
The return leg of the shuttle flight, LA3929, was canceled, and the aircraft involved in the incident remains grounded in Congonhas with no scheduled departure time yet. The communication between the pilots and air traffic control was captured by the Golf Oscar Romeo channel.
In a statement provided to AEROIN, the airline conveyed the following:
LATAM Airlines Brasil expresses its solidarity with the child and their family following the incident recorded prior to the takeoff of flight LA3122 (São Paulo/Congonhas–Rio de Janeiro/Santos Dumont) this Monday.
The child received immediate care from a physician who was on board the flight. Afterward, the infant disembarked accompanied by their guardians and was taken to the airport medical post before being transferred to a hospital for specialized evaluation and treatment.
A LATAM staff member accompanied the family during the medical care and provided the necessary support. The company continues to monitor the situation and collaborate with the procedures conducted by the competent authorities.
