A harrowing incident unfolded at Denver International Airport on Thursday as an American Airlines flight, diverted mid-flight due to engine trouble, erupted in flames upon landing, prompting a chaotic evacuation with passengers scrambling onto the aircraft’s wings. The incident has resulted in 12 people being hospitalised with minor injuries and added to growing concerns about aviation safety following a recent string of incidents.
Flight 1006, en route from Colorado Springs Airport to Dallas Fort Worth, was forced to divert to Denver after the crew reported engine vibrations, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The plane, a Boeing 737-800, landed safely at approximately 5:15 p.m. However, as it was taxiing towards the gate, one of its engines caught fire, triggering a frantic response from passengers and crew.
Photos and videos circulating on social media showed passengers standing precariously on the plane’s wing, surrounded by thick clouds of smoke, as they awaited evacuation. The FAA confirmed that passengers exited the aircraft using emergency slides.
American Airlines released a statement acknowledging the engine-related issue that occurred after the plane had taxied to the gate. The airline did not immediately clarify the exact moment the fire broke out. The 172 passengers and six crew members were safely transported to the terminal.
Passenger Daniel Friedman recounted the terrifying experience in an interview with WRAL-TV at the Denver airport. He explained that after learning mid-flight of the engine problem and the need for an emergency landing, his thoughts turned to contacting loved ones and preparing for the worst.
“Really I just wanted to make sure we got here safe and didn’t know if it was going to happen or not,” Friedman said.
The situation escalated dramatically after landing when flames became visible outside the window, causing panic among the passengers. Friedman described a scene of pushing and shoving as people desperately tried to escape the burning aircraft. Once the emergency doors were opened, passengers clambered onto the wing and then onto ladders to reach the ground. Friedman himself sustained a scratch on his leg while jumping from the wing onto a ladder.
Once safely on the ground, Friedman’s immediate instinct was to contact friends and family to express his love and relief. He also voiced his concerns about the recent increase in aviation incidents.
“Hopefully this never happens to me or anybody else again because that’s not a good day,” he said. “I don’t wish that upon anybody.”
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have announced that they will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
James E. Hall, former chairman of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, commented on the incident, stating, “It’s unusual to have vibrations, obviously, and particularly in light of what happened once on the ground.” He cautioned against drawing premature conclusions, noting that a variety of issues could have caused the vibrations and subsequent fire.
Hall also acknowledged the recent spate of aviation incidents, saying, “Given the past history, you can classify it as unusual,” but added, “I don’t know if you have enough information to draw any conclusions.”
American Airlines expressed gratitude to its crew members, the Denver airport team, and first responders for their swift and decisive actions, emphasising that the safety of everyone on board and on the ground was the top priority.
This incident follows a series of other aviation mishaps, including a plane crash and flip upon landing in Toronto and a Japan Airlines plane clipping a parked Delta plane while taxiing at Seattle airport. While these incidents have raised concerns, aviation experts maintain that air travel remains a remarkably safe mode of transportation.
