A LATAM Brazil Airbus A321-200, registration PT-MXC performing flight JJ3295/LA8429 (dep July 11) from Sao Paulo Guarulhos, SP to Porto Alegre, RS (Brazil), had completed an uneventful flight and was parked at the gate at Porto Alegre, the passengers had disembarked and the cargo had been unloaded. The aircraft was about to be repositioned for its next flight at about 4:00 a.m. L about 3.5 hours after landing, a ground mechanic was positioned near the left main gear, another mechanic was on board of the aircraft, when tower approved push back. The push back commenced taking the mechanic on the ground at surprise, the left main gear rolled over the man and separated his left leg in its entirety. The mechanic was rushed to hospital, however, medics attempting to save the life of the mechanic had to pronounce the mechanic dead.

The aircraft was able to depart for its next flight JJ3297 almost on schedule about 2 hours later.

Police reported that the victim (34) was positioned on the ground together with an assistant, who was to tow the aircraft. When tower approved the push back, the mechanic on board of the aircraft was to check with the mechanic on the ground, the assistant however understood he had the clear signal already and began to push the aircraft. The occurrence appears to be an accident as result of miscommunication.

The airport reported that the mechanic on board of the aircraft had received the push back clearance and was about to communicate with the ground mechanic, who then was to signal the assistant the clear to push. However, the assistant believed he already had the clear to push and commenced push back.