American Airlines plane fire sparks chaos after landing at Denver International Airport. The Boeing 737-800, carrying 172 passengers and six crew members, had to alter its scheduled route from Dallas-Fort Worth to Denver due to reported engine vibrations.
Evacuation Emergency as Fire Breaks Out
At 5:15 p.m. local time, thick black smoke and flames engulfed one of the plane’s engines shortly after landing. As firefighters attempted to put out the fire, the crew promptly began an evacuation, with passengers standing on the wing and utilizing emergency slides.
Photos and videos captured at the scene showed panicked passengers fleeing the jet as smoke billowed into the sky. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that it is investigating the cause of the fire.
The Pilot’s Cool Reaction Prior to the Crisis Getting Out of Hand
The flight crew did not declare an emergency despite reporting considerable engine vibrations before landing.
However, the engine fire caused air traffic control to receive an immediate “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday!” distress call after the aircraft landed down.
Passengers Taken to the Hospital
According to the Denver Fire Department, 12 passengers were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. No fatalities were reported.
American Airlines released a statement thanking its crew members, airport staff, and first responders for their swift action in ensuring everyone’s safety. A replacement aircraft and crew were dispatched to assist passengers traveling to Dallas.
A String of Recent Aviation Incidents
This Denver airport fire follows multiple aviation disasters in recent months, including a Delta Air Lines crash in Toronto and deadly incidents in Alaska, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. The FAA and NTSB are increasing their focus on airline safety amid growing concerns over mechanical failures.
More updates will follow as the investigation unfolds.
Source: CNN
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