Passengers aboard an American Airlines flight in Colorado had to evacuate onto the tarmac as a fire ignited on the aircraft, causing smoke to fill the air. Dramatic footage captured the moment when passengers gathered on the wing of the Boeing plane, some clutching their belongings, as flames flickered near the aircraft’s base. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that passengers used inflatable slides to safely disembark at Denver International Airport, where the incident occurred. Authorities mentioned that an investigation into the cause of the fire would be conducted.
Fortunately, there were no severe injuries, but the airport disclosed that 12 individuals were hospitalized with minor injuries. The flight had departed from Colorado Springs en route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas, according to a statement from the FAA. The plane made an unplanned landing in Denver after the crew detected engine vibrations.
Upon landing, the plane caught fire during taxiing on the tarmac. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, carried 172 passengers and six crew members, all of whom were safely evacuated, as confirmed by American Airlines. The company attributed the incident to an “engine-related issue.” Airport spokesman Michael Konopasek mentioned that the fire was swiftly extinguished, causing no disruptions to other flights.
Witnesses inside the airport shared videos on social media showing passengers walking along the wing’s edge amidst billowing black smoke. Ground crew members swiftly brought ladders to assist with the evacuation. Flames were visible under the right engine of the aircraft, while an inflatable evacuation slide emerged from the rear door.
This evacuation followed a series of recent aviation incidents in North America that have spurred concerns about air safety. Notably, a tragic crash in Washington DC resulted in the deaths of 67 individuals after an American Airlines regional jet collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter mid-air. This incident prompted inquiries about air traffic controller staffing levels and their workloads. Additionally, the Trump administration’s decision to lay off hundreds of probationary FAA workers, including maintenance personnel and technical staff, raised further questions about aviation oversight.
