An American Airlines flight, bound for Texas, was forced to make an emergency landing at Denver International Airport on Thursday evening after the plane’s engine caught fire. The Boeing 737-800 had initially taken off from Colorado Springs but was rerouted to Denver following reports of engine vibrations from the crew, as per the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The aircraft, American Airlines Flight 1006, was carrying 172 passengers and six crew members. It landed in Denver around 5:15 p.m., and the engine fire broke out while the plane was taxiing on the tarmac, according to both the FAA and the airline.
In response to the fire, passengers were quickly evacuated onto the wing of the aircraft as thick black smoke filled the air. The evacuation was carried out using the plane’s slides, as stated by the federal agency.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported following the incident. The plane was originally scheduled to land at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Videos of the incident, shared on social media, showed the aircraft engulfed in flames and smoke. Airport crews were seen working diligently to put out the fire. Another video taken from inside the airport showed passengers standing on the wing of the plane as smoke billowed around them.
The cause of the fire remains unclear. The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident to determine the root cause and to ensure the safety of future flights.