A Boeing 737-800 operated by American Airlines caught fire while taxiing at Denver International Airport, forcing a dramatic emergency evacuation. The aircraft, which had 172 passengers and six crew members on board, had diverted to Denver after the crew reported engine vibrations.
Passengers were evacuated onto the tarmac using inflatable slides, while some climbed onto the aircraft’s wing, as thick black smoke billowed into the sky. Footage from the scene showed flames near the plane’s right engine, prompting an urgent response from ground crews.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident and said it would conduct a full investigation to determine the cause of the fire. While no serious injuries were reported, 12 passengers were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
The flight had originally taken off from Colorado Springs en route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas. Around 17:15 local time (23:15 GMT), the crew detected unusual engine vibrations and decided to divert to Denver for a precautionary landing.
However, shortly after landing and while taxiing, the aircraft caught fire, triggering the emergency evacuation.
This incident comes amid growing aviation safety concerns, following a string of high-profile accidents in North America.
Recently, a deadly mid-air collision in Washington, D.C., involving an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter, killed 67 people. That crash sparked debates over air traffic controller shortages and their increasing workloads.
Additionally, the Trump administration has faced criticism for laying off hundreds of FAA probationary workers in a cost-cutting move, which affected maintenance mechanics, environmental compliance officers, and technical assistants. These layoffs happened just weeks after the fatal crash in Washington, D.C.
Despite the dramatic events, Denver International Airport officials confirmed that the fire was quickly contained and did not cause major flight delays.
Passengers inside the terminal captured videos showing airport workers rushing with ladders to help those stranded on the aircraft’s wing.
American Airlines later released a statement acknowledging the incident and confirming that all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated. The company said it would fully cooperate with the FAA investigation into what it described as an “engine-related issue.”
