An American Airlines flight turned into a scene of panic on Thursday after one of its engines caught fire upon landing in Denver. The Boeing 737-800, which had diverted from its original route due to reported engine vibrations, was forced to evacuate all 178 people on board using emergency slides.
Emergency Landing and Quick Response
American Airlines Flight 1006 was originally scheduled to fly from Colorado Springs to Dallas. However, mid-flight, the crew detected unusual vibrations from one of the aircraft’s engines and decided to divert to Denver International Airport for safety reasons. The plane landed at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time, but moments later, the situation escalated when the engine caught fire.
Dramatic videos posted on social media show thick smoke billowing from the aircraft as passengers scrambled to evacuate. Some were seen standing on the plane’s wing while emergency crews worked swiftly to extinguish the flames.
Passengers Rushed to Safety
According to American Airlines, all 172 passengers and six crew members successfully evacuated. However, Denver International Airport reported that 12 individuals sustained minor injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention.
A witness at the airport, Aaron Clark, described the chaotic scene:
“We were near gate B44 when we suddenly saw a flash of fire and a large cloud of smoke. The fire didn’t last long, but the smoke continued for a while. That’s when people started using the emergency slides to get out.”
What Caused the Fire?
The aircraft, a 13-year-old Boeing 737-800, was powered by two CFM56 engines, manufactured by CFM International—a joint venture between General Electric and Safran. While the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed an investigation is underway.
Boeing and GE declined to comment on the incident, but American Airlines reassured passengers that they are fully cooperating with authorities to determine what went wrong.
A Growing Concern for Aviation Safety
This latest engine fire adds to a string of recent aviation incidents that have raised concerns about air travel safety in the United States. Earlier this year, an American Airlines regional jet collided mid-air with an Army helicopter, killing 67 people. Additionally, just last month, a Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down while landing in Toronto due to severe weather, injuring several passengers.
With growing concerns over aviation safety, industry experts are calling for stricter inspections and better preventive measures to avoid such terrifying events in the future.
