Passengers aboard an American Airlines flight faced a terrifying moment on Saturday when the plane’s left main landing gear caught fire while still on the ground at Denver International Airport (DEN). The aircraft, which was preparing for departure to Miami (MIA), was abruptly halted before takeoff as smoke and flames erupted near its rear wheels, prompting an emergency evacuation.
A total of 173 passengers and six crew members were on board when the incident occurred. According to American Airlines, all occupants were safely evacuated from the aircraft. One passenger, however, sustained a minor injury during the evacuation process.
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Dramatic video footage from the scene quickly circulated across social media platforms, showing smoke billowing from the left rear side of the plane as passengers descended the emergency slides in a rush to safety. Some could be seen fleeing the area while airport personnel worked quickly to contain the situation.
In an official statement, American Airlines confirmed the incident and assured that the safety of customers and crew remains their highest priority. “All customers and crew deplaned safely, and the aircraft was taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance team,” the airline said. “We thank our team members for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for their experience.”
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The cause of the fire is under investigation. Meanwhile, the affected aircraft will remain grounded until it is thoroughly inspected and cleared by maintenance officials. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of rapid emergency response protocols and the need for continuous vigilance when it comes to aviation safety.
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