An American Airlines Boeing 737-800 carrying 178 people caught fire on the tarmac of Denver International Airport (DEN) after making an emergency landing on Thursday evening.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that Flight 1006, which had departed from Colorado Springs Airport (COS) en route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), diverted to Denver due to reported engine vibrations.
According to the FAA’s official statement, the aircraft landed safely at approximately 6 p.m. Mountain Time but caught fire while taxiing to the gate.
As a result, passengers were forced to evacuate using emergency slides and by climbing onto the aircraft’s wing. Denver Airport officials reported that 12 passengers sustained minor injuries and were transported to a hospital for treatment.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. Video footage posted on social media showed flames emerging from the plane, accompanied by heavy smoke. The Denver Fire Department quickly responded, extinguishing the fire within minutes.
The FAA and NTSB will analyze key factors, including when and where the fire started.
Authorities will investigate why smoke suddenly began filling the aircraft cabin once it reached the gate. The FAA has not yet released preliminary findings but is expected to provide updates through its official aviation incident database.
American Airlines has arranged for a replacement aircraft and crew to transport affected passengers to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
A new flight was scheduled for 1 a.m. local time on Friday. The airline also confirmed that all checked luggage was removed from the damaged aircraft and transferred to the new plane.
This incident highlights growing concerns over aviation safety and aircraft maintenance.
