Passengers on an American Airlines flight had a terrifying experience after one of the plane’s engines caught fire upon landing at Denver International Airport.
The incident happened on Thursday, March 13, when Flight 1006, a Boeing 737-800, was diverted to Denver due to reported “engine vibrations,” according to the FAA.
The flight, which was traveling from Colorado Springs to Dallas-Fort Worth, had 172 passengers and six crew members on board.
Everything seemed under control until the plane landed, and the situation quickly escalated.
Before landing, the flight crew reassured air traffic controllers that it wasn’t an emergency, explaining that they were just experiencing “high engine vibration.”
However, moments after the plane touched down and was taxiing to the gate, one of the engines caught fire, forcing an urgent response.
A sudden distress call followed, with someone shouting over the radio, “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday! Mayday! … engine fire!” The aircraft eventually reached gate C38, where emergency responders took over.
Thick black smoke poured from the engine, passengers had to evacuate immediately.
Shocking images from the scene show dozens of people standing on the plane’s wing after exiting through emergency exits.
Thankfully, the fire was put out before it could spread further.
According to the Denver Fire Department, 12 passengers sustained minor injuries and were taken to the hospital for medical attention.
Fortunately, no serious injuries or fatalities were reported.
Following the incident, American Airlines praised the quick response of the flight crew and emergency teams.
“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,” the airline said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the FAA has launched an investigation to determine what caused the engine fire.
The agency assured the public that safety measures are being taken to prevent similar situations in the future.
While the situation was alarming, the fast response from the crew and emergency teams prevented it from turning into a major catastrophe.
Passengers were evacuated safely, and the fire was contained before it could cause serious damage.
However, as authorities investigate, passengers and aviation experts will be eager to understand what led to the engine failure.
