American Airlines Plane Catches Fire at Denver Airport, Passengers Evacuated
An American Airlines flight experienced a critical mechanical malfunction moments before takeoff at Denver International Airport (DEN) on Saturday, July 26, 2025, leading to a dramatic emergency evacuation. A fire erupted near the landing gear, forcing all passengers and crew to deplane via emergency slides.
Details of the Incident:
Flight and Aircraft: The incident involved American Airlines Flight 3023, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, which was scheduled to depart from Denver to Miami (MIA).
Time and Location: The event occurred around 2:45 p.m. local time while the plane was on the runway preparing for takeoff.
Cause of Fire: According to American Airlines, the aircraft experienced a "mechanical issue" involving a tire on the landing gear. This issue, combined with blown tires and the abrupt deceleration of the aircraft during braking, triggered a localized brake fire near the left rear section of the plane.
Evacuation: All 173 passengers and six crew members were safely evacuated from the aircraft using emergency slides deployed onto the runway. Dramatic videos shared by passengers on social media showed heavy smoke billowing from beneath the aircraft as people rapidly exited.
Injuries: While all occupants deplaned safely, one person sustained minor injuries and was transported to a hospital for further evaluation. Medical teams assessed six other individuals for minor injuries at the scene.
Emergency Response: The Denver Fire Department swiftly responded to the scene and quickly extinguished the fire. Airport operations were briefly halted, resulting in delays for nearly 90 flights.
Investigation and Aftermath:
Ongoing Investigation: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident, stating that the crew reported a "possible landing gear incident" during departure.
Aircraft Out of Service: American Airlines confirmed that the aircraft has been taken out of service for inspection by its maintenance team.
Airline Statement: American Airlines issued a statement thanking their team members for their professionalism and apologizing to customers for their experience. Passengers were later accommodated on a replacement flight to Miami.
This incident marks another recent aviation scare, drawing attention to ongoing safety concerns and maintenance issues within the airline industry.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
