DENVER – A dramatic incident unfolded at Denver International Airport on Thursday when an American Airlines flight had to deploy emergency slides for a rapid passenger evacuation after a fire broke out. Twelve individuals were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries following the emergency landing.
Denver International Airport provided updates on social media, highlighting that all injuries sustained were minor. The incident involved Flight 1006, which was traveling from Colorado Springs Airport to Dallas Fort Worth. The flight was diverted to Denver when the crew noticed unusual engine vibrations. The plane, a Boeing 737-800, safely touched down around 5:15 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). However, while taxiing to the gate, one of the engines ignited.
Captivating images and videos from the scene captured passengers standing on the aircraft’s wing, enveloped by a cloud of smoke. The FAA confirmed that evacuation slides were used for passengers to exit the aircraft. American Airlines released a statement explaining that the flight encountered an engine-related issue after reaching the gate, though specifics about the timing of the fire remain unclear.
There were 172 passengers and six crew members aboard the flight, and everyone was safely escorted to the terminal, the airline reported. Acknowledging the swift response, American Airlines expressed gratitude to their crew, the Denver team, and first responders for prioritizing safety on the ground and in the air. By evening, the fire was successfully extinguished by firefighters, an airport spokesperson informed media outlets.
The FAA has opened an investigation into the incident. This event is part of a recent series of aviation challenges that have caused renewed concerns over air travel safety, even though it is statistically one of the safest modes of transport. Recent occurrences include a plane crash and overturning upon landing in Toronto and an incident involving a Japan Airlines aircraft clipping a stationary Delta plane while taxiing in Seattle.
