American Airlines Jet Experiences Engine Fire After Emergency Landing in Denver
TDT | Manama
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An American Airlines Boeing 737-800 aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at Denver International Airport on Thursday after its crew reported engine vibrations. Following the landing, an engine caught fire, prompting an emergency evacuation via slides, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
American Airlines Flight 1006, which was en route from Colorado Springs to Dallas, diverted to Denver, landing at approximately 5:15 p.m. (2315 GMT). The airline confirmed that all 172 passengers and six crew members safely exited the aircraft. However, Denver International Airport officials later reported that 12 people sustained minor injuries and were transported to hospitals.
Dramatic footage posted on social media captured passengers standing on the plane’s wing while thick smoke billowed from the engine. American Airlines stated that the aircraft had landed and taxied to the gate when it experienced an “engine-related issue.”
Witness Aaron Clark, who was nearby at gate B44, described the harrowing scene: “We stopped by the windows for a second and saw a flash of sudden fire, followed by a ton of smoke. The fire was very brief and looked like it was extinguished quickly by ground crews. The smoke continued for a while, and that’s when we saw people starting to exit from the rear slides.”
According to flight tracking service FlightRadar24, the aircraft involved was 13 years old and powered by two CFM56 engines manufactured by CFM International, a joint venture between General Electric and Safran.
The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident. A spokesperson for Denver International Airport confirmed that the fire was extinguished promptly and that airport operations remained unaffected.
Boeing and General Electric declined to comment on the matter.
The engine fire incident adds to a string of recent aviation safety concerns in the United States. It follows the January 29 mid-air collision of an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter, which tragically resulted in 67 fatalities. Investigations into aviation safety standards continue as authorities assess the latest incident.
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