Passengers on an American Airlines flight were evacuated onto the tarmac in Colorado. Due to a fire that produced smoke.
Passengers evacuated onto the wing of an American Airlines flight on the tarmac at Denver International Airport. After a fire broke out near the aircraft’s rear, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky.
Fortunately, all passengers and crew members safely escaped, with no injuries reported.
Dramatic footage of the evacuation revealed passengers huddled on the wing of the Boeing airliner. Some clutching their personal belongings as they waited for assistance. Flames were visible near the fuselage, illuminating the urgency of their situation.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that passengers, utilised the inflatable emergency slides to safely exit the plane and reach the ground.
In response to the incident, the FAA announced that it would conduct a thorough investigation. Determine the cause of the fire, aiming to ensure the safety of future flights.
A flight departed from Colorado Springs and headed to Dallas, Fort Worth International Airport in Texas. As reported by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in a statement to the BBC.
The Boeing 737-800 plane was forced to divert to Denver International Airport at approximately 5:15 PM local time (23:15 GMT). After the crew detected “engine vibrations,” prompting concerns for passenger safety. Upon landing in Denver, the aircraft unexpectedly caught fire while taxiing on the tarmac.
American Airlines confirmed that there were 172 passengers aboard, accompanied by six crew members.
Fortunately, all individuals were evacuated safely without any reported injuries.
According to airport spokesman Michael Konopasek, smoke and flames from the aircraft were observable from various gates within the terminal.
He noted that the fire was quickly extinguished, by emergency personnel. And did not cause any delays for other incoming or outgoing flights.
Bystanders shared videos on social media inside the airport. The videos showed passengers walking toward the edge of the wing amid large clouds of black smoke billowing into the air. Ground crew were seen rushing to the aircraft with ladders to assist in the emergency response.
Additional footage demonstrated flames actively burning beneath the plane’s right engine. An inflatable evacuation slide emerged from the aircraft’s rear door, ensuring safe egress for passengers.
This incident is particularly concerning in light of a recent series of high-profile. Aviation accidents across North America have raised serious questions about aviation safety protocols. One such tragedy occurred in Washington, D.C., where a mid-air collision involving an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter resulted in the loss of 67 lives. This devastating event has led to increased scrutiny regarding air traffic controller shortages and the heavy workloads they face.
Furthermore, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has made significant cuts to the workforce at the FAA. Including terminating hundreds of probationary employees as part of broader government cost-saving efforts.
These layoffs occurred mere weeks after the fatal crash in D.C, affecting various roles. Including maintenance mechanics, environmental compliance specialists, and technical assistants.
Additionally, President Trump has been a proponent of reducing government spending, with help from tech billionaire Elon Musk. Who has taken on a prominent role in initiatives aimed at enhancing government efficiency, by the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).