DENVER — During a tense evacuation at Denver International Airport, a fire erupted on an American Airlines aircraft, causing passengers to scramble onto one of the plane’s wings amid swirls of dark smoke. According to airport authorities, 12 passengers sustained minor injuries and were transported to hospitals for treatment.
Recently, there has been a surge in aviation incidents and near-misses, increasing public anxiety about air travel. Despite this, air travel remains a safe mode of transportation. Some recent ground accidents include a Toronto-bound plane that overturned upon landing and a Japan Airlines jet that collided with a parked Delta aircraft at Seattle Airport.
Flight 1006, which was en route from Colorado Springs to Dallas Fort Worth, made an unplanned diversion to Denver after the crew detected engine vibrations. According to a federal statement, the Boeing 737-800 landed safely at around 5:15 p.m. After landing, one of the plane’s engines caught fire while taxiing to the gate.
Passengers described the anxiety of evacuating onto the aircraft’s left wing while the right engine burned below, enveloping the area in black smoke. Evacuees descended to the ground using slides and ladders with the assistance of ground crews, confirmed by video records and traveler testimonials.
All 172 passengers and six crew members were evacuated without serious incidents, as reported by authorities. American Airlines redirected questions regarding those who were hospitalized to local officials. By Friday, the compromised aircraft had been relocated behind a hangar.
Passenger Recollections
Hani Levi, one of the passengers, mentioned experiencing significant vibrations shortly after takeoff, followed by an announcement indicating an emergency landing in Denver was necessary due to a potential engine issue. As the plane taxied, Levi, who had prior military airplane mechanic experience, noticed smoke and flames emanating from the wing near her window seat. Amid the unfolding chaos, a mother with children expressed urgent panic, contributing to a tense atmosphere.
Levi, trapped in her seat due to a disabled passenger in the aisle seat, witnessed thick smoke filling the plane’s interior as flames persisted mere feet away. Videos recorded by Levi captured passengers urging an orderly exit amidst the escalating tension.
Passenger Daniel Friedman expressed the emotional turmoil he experienced as the evacuation unfolded chaotically. Reflecting on the event, he hoped for everyone’s safe passage, acknowledging the distress and urgency of the situation.
After the incident, 12 individuals received medical care and were discharged from the University of Colorado Hospital. A replacement aircraft subsequently ferried passengers to their originally intended destination, arriving around 5 a.m. local time according to flight tracking data.
Frequency of Engine Fires
In a statement from American Airlines, the flight encountered engine complications upon reaching the gate, although specifics regarding the fire’s timing were not immediately clear.
Engine fires, while rare, are situations that flight crews are trained to handle, explained aviation expert Steven Wallace. Such fires typically do not pose a major threat, even in-flight, as aircraft are capable of operating with a single engine. Wallace noted that it would be unusual for an airline pilot to experience an engine failure even over a long career.
Recent incidents include an engine fire on a United Airlines flight preparing for takeoff in Houston on February 2, and a FedEx cargo plane that made an emergency landing after a fire caused by a bird strike in New Jersey on March 1.
James Hall, a former National Transportation Safety Board Chairman, indicated that the vibrations reported on the American Airlines flight were atypical but could result from a variety of complex issues that could lead to a fire, cautioning against premature conclusions.
Both the FAA and NTSB have announced investigations into the incident.
The aircraft involved was manufactured in 2012, equipped with an engine by CFM International. While Boeing did not issue an immediate comment, CFM was also unavailable for a statement.
In an official release, American Airlines expressed gratitude towards their staff and the emergency responders for their swift actions following the emergency.
Ian Paisley, a Colorado resident preparing to fly from Denver to Hawaii, was undeterred by the incident, emphasizing confidence in air travel’s safety record despite the frightful nature of such events.
