American Airlines Plane with 173 Passengers on Board Catches Fire, Chilling Video Emerges
- A major airport emergency prompted swift evacuation as passengers faced terrifying moments during a takeoff incident involving smoke and fire
- Authorities responded quickly to the scare that left multiple people shaken and led to medical evaluations and ongoing investigations
- Video footage captured by onlookers shows thick black smoke billowing from the rear left side of the aircraft as flames erupt
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
At least one person was injured and several others were treated for minor injuries after an American Airlines flight with 173 passengers aborted takeoff at Denver International Airport on Saturday, July 26.
Source: Getty Images
The flight was grounded after a tire caught fire, sending smoke and flames billowing from the aircraft.
What caused the American Airlines flight accident?
According to American Airlines, Flight 3023, which was scheduled to depart for Miami from Denver at around 2.45pm local time, experienced what the airline described as a 'maintenance issue' involving a tire on the landing gear.
“All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and the aircraft was removed from service for inspection by our maintenance team,” American Airlines stated. “We appreciate our team’s professionalism and sincerely apologise to our customers for the experience.”
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the incident, stating that the aircraft suffered a landing gear failure during its takeoff roll.
According to the Denver Fire Department, first responders and airport emergency crews quickly arrived at the scene.
Five passengers were evaluated at the scene and were not transported, while one person was assessed at a terminal gate and taken to a local hospital.
Source: UGC
Harrowing video footage captured by onlookers shows thick black smoke billowing from the rear left side of the aircraft as flames erupted, prompting passengers to flee down inflatable emergency slides in a chaotic evacuation.
“Flight 3023, you got a lot of smoke,” an air traffic controller was heard warning the pilot in recorded cockpit audio.
Passengers were later rebooked to continue their journey to Miami on another aircraft.
The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident.
How did citizens react to American Airlines flight fire?
@Philip386287161
"It seems the 'leave all luggage behind' order was ignored by many passengers."
@Victory202424
"People need to stop evacuating with their bags! This can cause someone else to lose their life! Stuff can be replaced!"
@George94041853
"Absolutely stunning how they decided that their luggage was more important than other people smh. Put everyone who took their luggage off the plane on the no-fly list!"
@chii75527662
"So glad everyone’s okay—but shoutout to the flight crew for staying calm and totally handling it like the queens and kings they are. I’ll take my turbulence in the sky, not on the tarmac, thanks! Here’s to safer skies and fire‑free landings ahead."
@mahsenny
"This country can't even help itself but still manages to send billions of aid to Israel and Ukraine."
49 killed as Russian plane crashes
In other news, at least 49 people died following the crash of an Antonov An-24 passenger plane operated by Siberia-based Angara Airlines.
The aircraft disappeared from radar and lost communication with air traffic controllers while on approach to Tynda, a remote town in Russia’s Amur region near the Chinese border.
Authorities later confirmed that wreckage from the aircraft was located roughly 15 kilometres from Tynda Airport on a forested mountainside.
Dramatic footage from the scene showed thick plumes of smoke billowing from the presumed crash site deep within a dense forest.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
