American Airlines
The DOJ antitrust lawsuit alleged that the two airlines used their “Northeast Alliance” to share information such as routes, schedules, and planes for flights out of four major airports in Boston and New York. (Photo: Mike Blake/Reuters)

An American Airlines Boeing 737-800 caught fire at Denver International Airport on Thursday after being diverted due to reported engine issues. The incident forced passengers to evacuate onto the plane's wing as smoke filled the air.

American Airlines Flight 1006, which had departed from Colorado Springs en route to Dallas-Fort Worth, was diverted to Denver after the crew detected "engine vibrations," according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The plane landed at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time. While taxiing to the gate, one of its engines caught fire, prompting an emergency evacuation.

A total of 172 passengers and six crew members were on board at the time of the incident. American Airlines confirmed that all passengers were able to exit the aircraft safely, though six individuals sustained minor injuries during the evacuation and were transported to a hospital for evaluation.

Video footage from inside the airport captured plumes of smoke rising from the plane as passengers scrambled onto the aircraft's wing. Witnesses inside the terminal described a chaotic scene. "I was terrified for those passengers," said an airport traveler identified as Leonard, who had been waiting for a connecting flight. "I can't even imagine how scared they must've been."

 

The Denver International Airport spokesperson said the fire was contained quickly after the plane reached Gate C38. "We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority," American Airlines said in a statement.

Passengers were relocated to the terminal following the evacuation. The airline confirmed it had arranged for a replacement aircraft to transport travelers to their original destination, Dallas-Fort Worth.

The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident. The flight crew initially reported issues approximately 20 minutes into the journey, prompting the diversion. The aircraft remained in the air for about an hour before making its emergency landing.

The Boeing 737-800 is one of the most widely used aircraft in the airline's fleet. American Airlines has not disclosed further details regarding the cause of the engine fire, and the FAA has yet to determine whether the incident was related to mechanical failure or other operational factors.