Passengers Evacuate After American Airlines Plane Fire at Denver Airport

A fire broke out on an American Airlines flight at Denver International Airport (DIA), forcing passengers to evacuate. The Boeing 737-800 had diverted to Denver due to an engine issue before flames appeared near the aircraft’s bottom while taxiing.

Emergency Landing and Fire Incident

The flight departed from Colorado Springs Airport and was en route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. At approximately 5:15 p.m. local time, the crew reported engine vibrations, prompting an emergency diversion to DIA. After landing, an engine caught fire while the plane taxied to the gate.

Passengers evacuated using inflatable slides and some exited onto the plane’s wing before reaching the tarmac. No serious injuries were reported.

Immediate Response and Investigation

Emergency responders quickly extinguished the fire, and Denver International Airport officials confirmed no reported injuries as of 6:15 p.m. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that it would conduct an investigation into the cause of the fire.

In a statement, American Airlines confirmed the incident, citing an engine-related issue. The airline stated that all 172 passengers and six crew members were safely relocated to the terminal.

Passengers’ Experience and Next Steps

Videos posted on social media captured the dramatic evacuation, showing thick smoke billowing from the aircraft as passengers climbed out onto the wing. Affected travelers were rebooked on another flight scheduled to depart from Denver to Dallas at 1 a.m. local time.

As the FAA investigates, American Airlines has not provided further details on the cause of the fire but assured that safety remains a priority.

More…

• https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c981j6e34wwo
• https://kdvr.com/news/local/passengers-evacuated-after-american-airlines-plane-fire-at-denver-international-airport
• https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/plane-denver-international-airport-fire-smoke-evacuation