An American Airlines flight headed to Texas caught fire after landing at Denver International Airport, forcing passengers to evacuate onto the aircraft’s wing. Video footage shows thick smoke engulfing the Boeing 737-800 as dozens of people stood on the wing while others used emergency slides to escape.
The plane, which took off from Colorado Springs, was diverted to Denver after the crew reported engine vibrations. The pilot initially told air traffic controllers that the issue was not an emergency, but shortly after landing, a fire broke out in one of the engines, prompting a mayday call. Emergency responders quickly extinguished the flames, and all 172 passengers and six crew members were evacuated.
Passengers described the terrifying experience, with one recalling a burning plastic smell as soon as they landed, followed by screaming as smoke filled the cabin. A total of 12 people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. One passenger stated, “I’m really grateful this happened on the ground because if it happened in the air, I don’t think I’d be here telling this story.”
American Airlines praised the crew and emergency responders for their swift actions, while the FAA announced an investigation into the incident. This latest scare comes amid growing concerns over U.S. aviation safety, following several recent crashes and near-misses involving commercial airlines.
