Plane Evacuation at Denver Airport After Mechanical Failure

One person was injured following an emergency evacuation of an American Airlines flight at Denver International Airport. The incident occurred when the aircraft, preparing to fly to Miami, had a landing gear malfunction during takeoff, leading to an aborted launch and fire outbreak.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 experienced a tire failure, which caused it to catch fire while attempting to lift off around 2:45 p.m. local time. As flames and smoke engulfed the rear left side of the plane, passengers urgently evacuated via an inflatable emergency slide. Video footage shows passengers and a child fleeing the aircraft amidst black smoke and flames.

During the incident, air traffic control notified the pilot of significant smoke onboard, and shortly after, the crew announced that the aircraft was actually on fire, with flames visible on the aircraft’s exterior.

The Denver Fire Department responded swiftly, extinguishing the fire by late afternoon. According to reports, six individuals were assessed for minor injuries, with one person taken to a hospital for treatment. All 173 passengers and six crew members evacuated safely, and the aircraft was subsequently taken out of service for inspection.

American Airlines issued a statement confirming the tire failure contributed to the emergency, and acknowledged the professionalism of their team in managing the situation. The airline also mentioned that passengers would be rebooked on another flight to Miami later that day.