American Airlines Flight 1006, a Boeing 737-800, experienced an engine fire upon landing at Denver International Airport, leading to an emergency evacuation of all passengers and crew.
Incident Details
The flight departed from Colorado Springs Airport at 4:37 p.m., en route to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Shortly after takeoff, the crew reported engine vibrations and decided to divert to Denver as a precaution. The aircraft landed safely at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time.
Engine Fire and Evacuation
While taxiing to Gate C38, one of the aircraft's engines caught fire. This prompted the crew to initiate an emergency evacuation using the aircraft's slides. Passengers were seen evacuating onto the plane's wings as smoke enveloped the aircraft.
Emergency Response
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire. All 172 passengers and six crew members were safely evacuated. Twelve individuals sustained minor injuries and were transported to local hospitals for evaluation.
Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the engine vibrations and subsequent fire. American Airlines has expressed gratitude for the prompt actions of the crew, airport staff, and first responders, emphasizing that passenger safety is their top priority. BREAKING: An American Airlines plane carrying 178 people appeared to catch fire on the tarmac after making an emergency landing at Denver International Airport Thursday evening, forcing passengers to evacuate by climbing out onto the wing of the plane. https://t.co/gWlirSyILE pic.twitter.com/AOSU1iB24H
Recent Aviation Safety Concerns
This event is part of a series of recent aviation incidents that have raised concerns about air travel safety. Despite these occurrences, aviation experts maintain that flying remains one of the safest modes of transportation.
Passengers involved in the incident praised the crew's professionalism and the efficiency of the emergency response, expressing relief that the situation was handled without more severe consequences.
As the investigation continues, American Airlines has assured full cooperation with the FAA to enhance safety measures and prevent future occurrences.