Passengers Flee Burning Plane as American Airlines Flight Catches Fire

• Passengers evacuated safely as fire broke out on an American Airlines Boeing 737 at Denver International Airport.
• FAA to investigate after the plane, diverted due to engine vibrations, caught fire while taxiing.
• Incident follows recent aviation concerns, including a fatal mid-air crash and FAA staff layoffs.

Passengers aboard an American Airlines flight were evacuated onto the tarmac at a Colorado airport after a fire broke out on the plane, sending thick smoke into the air.

Footage from the scene showed passengers gathered on the wing of the Boeing 737-800, some clutching their belongings, as flames burned near the aircraft’s undercarriage. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that emergency slides were deployed, allowing passengers to reach the ground safely.

The flight, which had departed from Colorado Springs en route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, was forced to divert to Denver International Airport around 17:15 local time (23:15 GMT) after the crew reported “engine vibrations,” according to an FAA statement. After landing, the aircraft caught fire while taxiing.

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American Airlines reported that all 172 passengers and six crew members on board were evacuated without serious injury, though 12 people were later taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Michael Konopasek, a spokesperson for Denver International Airport, said smoke and flames were visible from multiple airport gates, but the fire was quickly extinguished, preventing further disruptions to other flights. Social media footage showed passengers walking along the wing as thick black smoke billowed from the right engine, with ground crews rushing to assist.

The FAA has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, which American Airlines attributed to an “engine-related issue.”

The incident comes amid heightened concerns over aviation safety in North America following a series of high-profile accidents. In Washington, DC, a recent mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter resulted in 67 fatalities, sparking scrutiny over air traffic controller shortages and workplace conditions.

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Compounding concerns, the Trump administration recently terminated hundreds of FAA probationary employees—including maintenance mechanics and environmental compliance workers—as part of a broader cost-cutting effort. The move, spearheaded by tech billionaire Elon Musk under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has drawn criticism from aviation experts who warn it could impact flight safety.

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