Twelve people were rushed to the hospital in Colorado after an American Airlines flight caught fire as it was taxiing on the tarmac moments after it had been forced into an emergency landing when the crew heard “engine vibrations.”
Dramatic videos and pictures posted to social media showed passengers standing on the wings of the Boeing 737-800 as the flames engulfed the underside of the aircraft. Those passengers were eventually brought to safety via slides.
According to FlightAware, the flight departed Colorado Springs at 4:52 p.m., bound for Dallas-Fort Worth. At 5:14, the flight was diverted. It landed in Denver at 5:55 p.m.
A spokesperson for American Airlines has said that the plane suffered an “engine-related” issue as it made its way to the gate, which caused the fire at 6:00 p.m.
“We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority,” the AA statement read. The fire was eventually knocked down by Denver International Airport firefighters.
According to air traffic control audio, the pilot notified air traffic controllers in Denver that the plane was experiencing engine issues, but it was not an emergency.
“American 10,006, uh, 1006 – just to verify: not an emergency still, correct?” the controller asked in audio captured on LiveATC.net.
“Nah, we just have a high engine vibration so we are cruising slower than normal,” the pilot said.
But several minutes later, after the plane landed, someone on the radio yelled “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday! Mayday! Engine fire!”
After evacuating via the wing, passengers reach the ground using slides.
Airline officials confirmed that the 172 passengers and six crew members were then transported to the terminal.
There were no reports of serious injuries, but twelve passengers were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
After evacuating via the wing, passengers reach the ground using slides.
Airline officials confirmed that the 172 passengers and six crew members were then transported to the terminal.
There were no reports of serious injuries, but twelve passengers were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
