American Airlines flight 1006 catches fire at Denver airport
- An American Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Denver due to engine vibrations.
- The aircraft caught fire while taxiing, resulting in the evacuation of all onboard.
- Twelve passengers were hospitalized with minor injuries, and swift emergency response was noted.
On March 13, 2025, an American Airlines flight operated by a Boeing 737-800 experienced a significant emergency incident at Denver International Airport, the largest airport in the United States. The aircraft, American Airlines Flight 1006, had taken off from Colorado Springs Airport and was en route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport when it was diverted to Denver due to reported engine vibrations. At around 6 p.m. Mountain Time, after successfully landing, the plane caught fire on the tarmac while taxiing to the designated gate, C38. Eyewitness accounts noted that thick smoke began billowing from the jet, and emergency protocols were immediately activated to evacuate passengers. Witnesses reported scenes of chaos as passengers exited the plane, some climbing onto the wing while others utilized emergency slides to escape the cabin. Following the fire outbreak, emergency crews and airport officials responded quickly, and the fire was extinguished soon after it began. A total of 178 individuals were on board, comprising 172 passengers and six crew members. Among those, twelve passengers were taken to hospitals for treatment of minor injuries, which were sustained during the evacuation process. The situation was described as tense, with several passengers recounting a burning plastic smell filling the cabin and an urgent need to evacuate. Airport officials confirmed that all luggage was removed from the aircraft, and the airline worked to rebook the affected travelers onto a later flight scheduled to depart Denver for Dallas around 1 a.m. local time the following day. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it would investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire, particularly focusing on when and where the engine issue began. Preliminary findings suggested that the plane experienced engine-related problems that triggered the fire, and American Airlines also confirmed that they were cooperating fully with the investigation. Despite the chaotic nature of the incident, it was acknowledged that having the fire occur on the ground, as opposed to during flight, greatly reduced the potential for a more tragic outcome. In the aftermath of this alarming event, officials praised the flight crew and emergency responders for their decisive actions in ensuring passenger safety during what could have been a catastrophic situation. As the investigation unfolds, both American Airlines and aviation authorities will seek to better understand the mechanical failures that led to this dangerous incident and work toward reinforcing safety protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.