On Thursday evening, an American Airlines flight, carrying 178 passengers, experienced a fire on the tarmac at Denver International Airport after making an emergency landing.
Gatekeepers News reports that the passengers evacuated the aircraft by exiting onto the wing.
Fortunately, there were no serious injuries reported; however, approximately three hours after the incident, the airline confirmed that twelve passengers were taken to a hospital for evaluation.
The fire broke out just before 6 p.m. Mountain Time as the Boeing 737-800 diverted to the airport due to potential engine issues.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that American Airlines Flight 1006 had departed from Colorado Springs Airport and was en route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport when the crew reported experiencing engine vibrations.
“After landing and while taxiing to the gate an engine caught fire and passengers evacuated the aircraft using the slides,” the FAA said.
In a separate statement, American Airlines said the plane experienced an “engine-related issue” after it had landed and taxied to the gate.
The airline said all of the 172 passengers and six crewmembers aboard deplaned and were “being relocated to the terminal.”
The plane wound up parking at gate C38 at Concource C.
Multiple videos posted on social media show flames coming from the plane and people evacuating by climbing out onto the wing. Heavy smoke was also seen coming from the plane during the chaotic scene.
