An American Airlines flight was evacuated on the tarmac at Denver International Airport on Thursday after a fire broke out on the plane, sending smoke billowing into the air.
Footage of the evacuation showed passengers on the wing of the Boeing 737-800, some clutching their bags, as flames were visible near the bottom of the aircraft. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that passengers used inflatable slides to reach the ground safely.
The flight, which had 172 passengers and six crew members on board, had originally taken off from Colorado Springs and was en route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. According to the FAA, the flight was diverted to Denver after the crew reported “engine vibrations.”
After landing at Denver around 17:15 local time, the plane caught fire while taxiing on the tarmac. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported, although 12 individuals were taken to the hospital for minor injuries.
American Airlines confirmed the fire was related to an “engine-related issue” and assured that all passengers were safely evacuated. The fire did not disrupt other flights at the airport, with emergency crews swiftly dousing the flames.
This incident follows a series of concerning aviation events in North America, including a fatal mid-air collision in Washington DC that raised questions about air traffic controller workloads and staffing shortages.
The incident also comes amid efforts by the Trump administration to reduce government spending, which led to the termination of hundreds of FAA probationary workers, including maintenance mechanics and technical assistants.
