178 Passengers, Crew Members Evacuated As Airlines Plane Catches Fire After Emergency Landing
The Boeing 737-800, operating as Flight 1006, had departed from Colorado Springs en route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport when the crew reported unusual engine vibrations mid-flight, prompting a diversion to Denver, Sky News reports.
178 passengers and crew members were evacuated after an American Airlines flight caught fire following an emergency landing at Denver International Airport on Friday, March 14, 2025.
The Boeing 737-800, operating as Flight 1006, had departed from Colorado Springs en route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport when the crew reported unusual engine vibrations mid-flight, prompting a diversion to Denver, Sky News reports.
The aircraft landed safely at around 5:15 pm local time (11:15 pm UK time), but while taxiing to the gate, one of its engines caught fire.
The situation escalated quickly, forcing passengers and crew to evacuate immediately.
Videos shared on social media showed passengers hurriedly exiting the aircraft via emergency slides, with some standing on the wing as thick smoke billowed from the burning engine. Images also captured flames engulfing one side of the plane.
Denver International Airport confirmed that all 172 passengers and six crew members successfully evacuated. However, 12 people sustained minor injuries and were transported to hospitals for further evaluation.
“We thank our crew members, DEN [the airport] team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority,” American Airlines stated.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced an investigation into the incident, focusing on the mid-air engine vibrations and the post-landing fire.
According to FlightRadar24, the aircraft is 13 years old and is powered by two CFM56 engines manufactured by CFM International, a joint venture between GE and Safran.
A spokesperson for Denver International Airport confirmed that the fire had been extinguished and normal flight operations had resumed. American Airlines stated that the plane had landed safely before experiencing an “engine-related issue.”
The incident adds to a string of recent aviation safety concerns in the United States. On 29 January, a mid-air collision involving an American Airlines regional jet and an army helicopter resulted in 67 fatalities near Washington DC’s Ronald Reagan Airport.
Last month, a Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport due to windy conditions, injuring 18 of the 80 passengers on board.
Amid these concerns, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom and Delta CEO Ed Bastian have cited recent air crashes, weather disruptions, and economic uncertainty as factors contributing to declining US travel demand.
