Passengers evacuate after American Airlines plane catches fire on tarmac of Denver airport
SUMMARY
An American Airlines flight turned chaotic Thursday evening when its engine caught fire on the tarmac at Denver International Airport, forcing 178 people onboard to evacuate—some onto the wing. Flight 1006, a Boeing 737-800 heading from Colorado Springs to Dallas, diverted to Denver around 5:15 p.m. after the crew reported engine vibrations, per the FAA. After landing safely and taxiing to gate C38, flames erupted, sparking a frantic exit via slides and the wing. Videos online captured heavy smoke and passengers fleeing as airport crews doused the blaze. No serious injuries were reported, though 6 passengers went to a hospital for checks. American Airlines called it an “engine-related issue,” saying all 172 passengers and six crew were safely offloaded and headed to the terminal. A replacement flight was set for 1 a.m. Friday. Ex-NTSB chair Robert Sumwalt praised the quick response from pilots, crew, and firefighters, noting the FAA’s probe will dig into when and why the fire started.
