A major emergency unfolded at Denver International Airport on Saturday when passengers aboard American Airlines Flight 3023 were forced to evacuate after the plane’s landing gear reportedly caught fire. The incident occurred moments before takeoff, causing chaos on the runway and sparking panic among the 173 passengers on board.
Dramatic Video Shows Passengers Fleeing
A shocking video shared online captured passengers sliding down emergency chutes and sprinting away from the Boeing 737 Max 8 as smoke and flames were seen billowing from underneath the aircraft. Emergency crews responded swiftly to contain the fire.
Emergency Response and Passenger Safety
According to the Denver Fire Department, the fire was quickly extinguished, and all 173 passengers along with six crew members were safely evacuated. Five passengers were evaluated for injuries, but none required hospitalization. However, one individual sustained a minor injury and was taken to a medical facility for precautionary treatment.
Official Statements from American Airlines and FAA
In a statement to Fox Business, American Airlines confirmed a mechanical issue with the landing gear, specifically a tire problem. The airline reassured that all passengers and crew members deplaned safely and that a replacement flight to Miami was arranged for the affected travelers.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also released a statement confirming the incident.
“American Airlines Flight 3023 reported a possible landing gear incident during departure from Denver International Airport around 2:45 p.m. local time Saturday, July 26. Passengers evacuated on the runway and were transported to the terminal by bus,” the FAA said.
Ground Stop at Denver Airport
The emergency led to a temporary ground stop between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., delaying approximately 90 flights, as reported by FlightAware.
Recent Aviation Incidents Raise Safety Concerns
This emergency comes just a day after a Southwest Airlines flight from California to Las Vegas experienced a sudden nosedive to avoid a midair collision, causing passengers to hit the cabin ceiling. The FAA has already initiated an investigation into the Denver incident to determine the cause of the landing gear failure.
American Airlines Apologizes
American Airlines issued an apology to its customers, stating:
“We thank our team members for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for their experience. The aircraft is undergoing inspection by our maintenance team.”