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American Airlines plane catches fire in Denver
An American Airlines plane caught fire while at a gate at Denver International Airport Thursday evening.
DENVER - An American Airlines plane landed at Denver International Airport on Thursday and caught fire, prompting slides to be deployed, so passengers could quickly evacuate. A total of 12 people were sent to the hospital.
The flight was headed to Dallas Fort Worth and diverted to Denver after the crew reported engine vibrations, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.
Here’s what we know:
American Airlines flight catches fire
Timeline:
Flight 1006, a Boeing 737-800, departed from Colorado Springs Airport en route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The crew reported engine vibrations, prompting a diversion to Denver International Airport, according to the FAA.
The aircraft landed safely at 5:15 p.m. local time and began taxiing to the gate. While taxiing, an engine caught fire, forcing an emergency evacuation using slides.
What we know:
Photos and videos posted by news outlets showed passengers standing on a plane’s wing as smoke surrounded the aircraft. The FAA said passengers exited using the slides. All the people transported to hospitals had minor injuries, according to a post on the social platform X by Denver International Airport.
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Passengers evacuate onto wing after American Airlines flight catches fire in Denver
Passengers were seen evacuating onto the wing of an American Airlines plane after it caught fire at Denver International Airport. The cause of the fire and possible injuries remain unclear. Credit: X / @flynnstone.
The 172 passengers and six crew members were taken to the terminal, airline officials said.
Firefighters put out the blaze by the evening, an airport spokesperson told media outlets.
What we don't know:
American said in a statement that the flight experienced an engine-related issue after taxiing to the gate. There was no immediate clarification on exactly when the plane caught fire.
What they're saying:
"American Airlines Flight 1006 diverted to and landed safely at Denver International Airport around 5:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, March 13, after the crew reported engine vibrations," the FAA wrote in its own statement. "After landing and while taxiing to the gate an engine caught fire and passengers evacuated the aircraft using the slides. The Boeing 737-800 departed Colorado Springs Airport and was headed to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The FAA will investigate."
"We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority," American said.
Passenger Steve Schilsky shared a photo of the scene on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "Glad everyone is safe after what looked like jet fuel caught fire at Denver International..." The image appears to show passengers evacuating onto the tarmac as emergency crews responded.
Passengers seen escaping American Airlines plane as it burns at Denver International Airport. (Credit: X / @flynnstone) ((Credit: X / @flynnstone))
Big picture view:
The country has seen a recent spate of aviation disasters and close calls, prompting fears about air travel – though flying remains a very safe mode of transport. Recent on-the-ground incidents have included a plane that crashed and flipped over upon landing in Toronto and a Japan Airlines plane that clipped a parked Delta plane while it was taxiing at the Seattle airport.
What's next:
The FAA said it will investigate the fire.
The Source: This story is based on information from the Associated Press, Fox 31 Denver, and a tweet from Steve Schilsky (@steve_schilsky), who shared an image of the evacuation at Denver International Airport. It was reported from Los Angeles, and Kelly Hayes contributed.