American Airlines Plane Catches Fire at Denver Airport, Forcing Wing Evacuation; 12 Injured
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An unexpected emergency unfolded on Thursday night when an American Airlines plane burst into flames, leading to a dramatic evacuation at Denver International Airport. Initially, the Texas-bound Boeing 737-800 had taken off from Colorado Springs. Crew members felt unusual engine vibrations, prompting them to divert to Denver shortly after departure, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Upon landing at Denver around 5:15 p.m., American Airlines Flight 1006, which was carrying 172 passengers and six crew members, encountered more trouble. As it was taxiing on the runway, one of its engines caught fire. The Federal Aviation Administration and the airline both confirmed this incident.
A Swift Evacuation
With the plane on fire, passengers were quickly evacuated using inflatable slides. The frantic evacuation saw some passengers making their way onto the wing, trying to escape the thick black smoke engulfing the area. Social media soon filled with videos showing the plane consumed by flames and smoke, while airport rescue teams worked rapidly to put out the blaze.
One eye-catching post on Instagram showed clear footage of American Airlines flight 4012 on fire at the Denver airport, shared by a user on March 14, 2025.
View this post on Instagram
Response and Injuries
While the primary focus was on getting everyone off the plane safely, there were still consequences. The airport confirmed on its social media platform X that twelve people experienced minor injuries. They were transported to local hospitals to receive medical treatment.
Another video captured from inside the airport revealed the intense situation as passengers stood on the aircraft’s wing, desperate to get away from the rising smoke.
Investigation Underway
Currently, it is unclear how the fire began. This crucial detail is under investigation by the FAA, which aims to determine the exact cause of this terrifying incident. Meanwhile, the public remains curious, and the investigation is expected to give answers to the many questions arising from this event.
Overall, this situation underscored the swift actions taken by the crew and rescuers, ensuring that all passengers were evacuated as safely as possible under the circumstances.
