São Paulo, February 17 - On February 15, 2026, a LATAM Airlines Boeing 777-300ER, registered PT-MUH, experienced a high-speed rejected takeoff at São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) during departure from runway 09L. The aircraft, operating a scheduled international flight, accelerated normally through initial takeoff speeds before the crew initiated rotation. The nose gear briefly lifted off the runway surface, indicating the onset of liftoff, yet the pilots promptly reversed thrust and applied maximum braking at approximately 174 knots ground speed, well past the critical V1 decision speed and initial VR rotation speed.
The decision to abort the takeoff under such conditions is highly uncommon in commercial aviation, as standard procedures emphasize continuing the takeoff roll after V1 to avoid the elevated risks associated with high-speed rejected takeoffs, including runway overruns, structural damage, and loss of control. Despite this deviation from conventional protocol, the crew managed to bring the heavy widebody jet to a controlled stop on the adjacent taxiway at the runway's end. No runway excursion occurred, and emergency services responded swiftly to the scene.
The abrupt stop resulted in significant thermal stress on the braking system, leading to hot brakes and subsequent tire bursts, a frequent outcome in high-energy rejected takeoffs involving large aircraft like the Boeing 777-300ER. All passengers and crew disembarked safely without injuries, though the incident caused temporary operational disruptions at the busy airport, including taxiway blockage for several hours while the aircraft was inspected and cleared.
Aviation authorities and LATAM Airlines are now conducting a thorough investigation into the event to determine the underlying emergency that prompted the crew's actions. Such occurrences underscore the critical importance of precise decision-making during high-speed phases of flight, where margins for error remain extremely narrow. The safe resolution highlights effective crew resource management and aircraft handling under pressure, while reinforcing ongoing emphasis on training for rare, high-risk scenarios in modern jet operations.