12 Injured After Airliner Catches Fire at Denver International Airport

Passengers on an American Airlines flight were forced to evacuate onto the tarmac at Denver International Airport on Thursday after the plane caught fire while taxiing.

Flight 1006, traveling from Colorado Springs to Dallas Fort Worth, was diverted to Denver after the crew reported engine vibrations, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Boeing 737-800 landed safely around 5:15 p.m., but as it taxied toward the gate, flames erupted from one of its engines.

Panic quickly spread as smoke filled the air. Footage captured from inside the airport showed passengers scrambling onto the aircraft’s wing, with some clutching bags while flames burned near the engine. Emergency slides were deployed, allowing passengers to escape quickly.

Injuries and Response

Twelve people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, according to Denver International Airport officials. American Airlines confirmed that all 172 passengers and six crew members were safely evacuated.

Airport spokesman Michael Konopasek stated that the fire was quickly extinguished and did not cause delays for other flights. The FAA has launched an investigation into the cause of the incident.

Growing Aviation Safety Concerns

This incident adds to growing concerns about aviation safety following a string of high-profile accidents. Recently, a mid-air collision in Washington, D.C., involving an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter resulted in 67 deaths. The crash has raised questions about air traffic controller shortages and increasing workloads.

Meanwhile, recent layoffs at the FAA—including maintenance workers and safety personnel—have sparked debate over whether cost-cutting measures could impact airline safety.

As the investigation into the Denver fire unfolds, passengers and industry experts alike are calling for more stringent safety measures to prevent future incidents.