After experiencing engine issues mid-air last night, an American Airlines Boeing 737-800 carrying 178 people made an emergency landing in Denver, then caught fire on the tarmac. Everyone was safely evacuated.
According to the FAA, the plane was headed to Dallas from Colorado Springs and diverted to Denver after the crew reported “engine vibrations.”
“After landing and while taxiing to the gate an engine caught fire and passengers evacuated the aircraft using the slides,” the FAA said. Airport officials said 12 passengers were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
In a separate statement, American Airlines said the plane experienced an “engine-related issue” after it had landed and taxied to the gate. Passengers were then relocated to the terminal.
Multiple videos posted on social media show flames coming from the plane and people evacuating by climbing onto a wing. Heavy smoke was seen coming from the plane during the chaotic scene.
A family member of one of the passengers told CBS News Colorado that all the luggage was taken off the plane and the passengers were being rebooked for a flight that was scheduled to depart Denver for Dallas at 1 a.m. local time Friday. American Airlines later confirmed that it was sending a replacement aircraft and crew to help customers continue on to DFW.
One passenger told CBS News that once the plane had landed in Denver, passengers smelled “this weird burning plastic smell… then [people] started screaming and saying there was a fire.”
A Denver International Airport spokesperson said the fire had been extinguished and flight operations had continued as normal.
CBS News Transportation Safety Analyst Robert Sumwalt, a former chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, said the emergency response on Thursday shows “the importance of having well-trained pilots, well-trained flight attendants, well-trained airport rescue and firefighting personnel and air traffic controllers, all working together to ensure a safe outcome when something like this happens.”
Sumwalt said it’s likely the FAA investigation into the incident will focus on when and where the fire started.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Delta Plane Flips on Landing in Toronto
Reagan Airport Reopened Following Deadly Crash
Crashes Spotlight Ongoing Air Traffic Controller Shortage
Reported by CBS News Colorado and Associated Press.
