Passengers on board an American Airlines flight faced a terrifying situation as they evacuated onto the wing of their Boeing 737-800 after it caught fire at Denver International Airport. Eye-witness footage captured the moment when flames and smoke billowed up near the rear of the aircraft. The incident unfolded after the flight, which had taken off from Colorado Springs en route to Dallas Fort Worth, experienced "engine vibrations," prompting an emergency landing at 5:15 PM local time.
The flight was evacuated using inflatable slides, allowing everyone on board to reach the tarmac safely, according to the FAA. Although there were no serious injuries reported, authorities confirmed that 12 individuals were treated for minor injuries at a hospital.
Smoke was visible from various gates at the airport, and fire crews quickly extinguished the flames before they could affect other flights. Videos shared on social media depicted the chaos as passengers emerged from the aircraft, huddling on the wing and grabbing their belongings.
American Airlines reported the incident as an "engine-related issue" and stated that all passengers and crew were safely evacuated. The fire has raised alarm amid ongoing concerns about aviation safety in the wake of a fatal crash involving an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army helicopter in Washington D.C., which resulted in the deaths of 67 people. There are increasing worries over air traffic control shortages following layoffs within the FAA.
As investigations into this incident continue, an FAA probe is set to determine the cause of the flight’s malfunction.
The flight was evacuated using inflatable slides, allowing everyone on board to reach the tarmac safely, according to the FAA. Although there were no serious injuries reported, authorities confirmed that 12 individuals were treated for minor injuries at a hospital.
Smoke was visible from various gates at the airport, and fire crews quickly extinguished the flames before they could affect other flights. Videos shared on social media depicted the chaos as passengers emerged from the aircraft, huddling on the wing and grabbing their belongings.
American Airlines reported the incident as an "engine-related issue" and stated that all passengers and crew were safely evacuated. The fire has raised alarm amid ongoing concerns about aviation safety in the wake of a fatal crash involving an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army helicopter in Washington D.C., which resulted in the deaths of 67 people. There are increasing worries over air traffic control shortages following layoffs within the FAA.
As investigations into this incident continue, an FAA probe is set to determine the cause of the flight’s malfunction.
