Passengers aboard an American Airlines flight were swiftly evacuated onto the tarmac at a Colorado airport after a fire erupted on the aircraft, producing thick smoke.
Video footage captured the evacuation, showing travelers gathered on the wing of the Boeing plane, some clutching their belongings, while flames were visible near the lower section of the aircraft.
According to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), passengers safely exited the plane using inflatable slides at Denver International Airport. The agency has announced an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
While no serious injuries were reported, airport officials later confirmed that 12 individuals were transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
The flight departed from Colorado Springs and was en route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas when the crew detected “engine vibrations,” prompting a diversion to Denver at approximately 17:15 local time (23:15 GMT), according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to the BBC.
After landing, the aircraft caught fire while taxiing on the tarmac.
American Airlines confirmed that the Boeing 737-800 was carrying 172 passengers and six crew members, all of whom were safely evacuated. The airline attributed the incident to an “engine-related issue.”
Michael Konopasek, a spokesperson for Denver International Airport, reported that smoke and flames were visible from several airport gates. The fire was quickly extinguished and did not cause disruptions to other flights.
Videos shared on social media captured passengers walking along the aircraft’s wing as thick black smoke filled the air. Footage also showed ground crew members rushing to the scene with ladders, while flames burned beneath the right engine and an inflatable evacuation slide deployed from the rear door.
This incident follows a series of recent aviation mishaps in North America, raising concerns about flight safety.
In Washington, D.C., a tragic mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter resulted in 67 fatalities. The crash sparked discussions about air traffic controller shortages and the increasing pressure on their workloads.
Additionally, the U.S. government, under President Donald Trump’s administration, implemented layoffs within the FAA as part of budget-cutting measures. The terminations affected probationary employees, including maintenance mechanics, environmental compliance personnel, and technical assistants.
The job cuts occurred just weeks after the deadly crash in D.C. and were part of a broader government efficiency initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk under the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge).
