**All 178 passengers and crew members aboard the plane were evacuated safely, with minor injuries reported.**
**Passengers Escape Burning American Airlines Jet at Denver Airport**
**Passengers Escape Burning American Airlines Jet at Denver Airport**
**A fire broke out on an American Airlines flight, prompting an emergency evacuation.**
Passengers on an American Airlines flight faced a terrifying situation when a fire erupted on board, leading to an emergency evacuation at Denver International Airport in Colorado. Footage captured during the incident revealed passengers huddled on the wing of the Boeing 737-800, some clutching their belongings while flames flickered below. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that passengers utilized inflatable slides to reach the tarmac safely.
While no serious injuries were reported, the airport confirmed that 12 people received medical attention for minor injuries. The aircraft, which was en route from Colorado Springs to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas, diverted to Denver shortly before 5:15 PM local time after experiencing "engine vibrations," according to FAA statements.
Upon landing, the plane caught fire while taxiing on the runway. American Airlines confirmed that the jet carried 172 passengers alongside six crew members, who were all evacuated without major incidents. Smoke and flames were clearly visible from multiple vantage points within the airport.
Denver airport spokesperson Michael Konopasek noted that emergency teams acted swiftly to extinguish the fire and that the incident did not disrupt other flights at the airport. Social media users uploaded videos showing the scene, highlighting the evacuation as passengers walked towards the wing amidst plumes of black smoke.
This incident comes at a time when aviation safety concerns are heightened following a fatal mid-air collision in Washington, D.C., which killed 67 people. This crash has sparked discussions about air traffic control shortages and increasing workloads. The FAA's workforce has diminished recently due to cutbacks in government spending initiated by then-President Donald Trump's administration, which included layoffs of maintenance personnel and technical staff just weeks after the tragedy.
While no serious injuries were reported, the airport confirmed that 12 people received medical attention for minor injuries. The aircraft, which was en route from Colorado Springs to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas, diverted to Denver shortly before 5:15 PM local time after experiencing "engine vibrations," according to FAA statements.
Upon landing, the plane caught fire while taxiing on the runway. American Airlines confirmed that the jet carried 172 passengers alongside six crew members, who were all evacuated without major incidents. Smoke and flames were clearly visible from multiple vantage points within the airport.
Denver airport spokesperson Michael Konopasek noted that emergency teams acted swiftly to extinguish the fire and that the incident did not disrupt other flights at the airport. Social media users uploaded videos showing the scene, highlighting the evacuation as passengers walked towards the wing amidst plumes of black smoke.
This incident comes at a time when aviation safety concerns are heightened following a fatal mid-air collision in Washington, D.C., which killed 67 people. This crash has sparked discussions about air traffic control shortages and increasing workloads. The FAA's workforce has diminished recently due to cutbacks in government spending initiated by then-President Donald Trump's administration, which included layoffs of maintenance personnel and technical staff just weeks after the tragedy.
