(Patriot.Buzz) – What should have been a typical flight turned into a nightmare when an American Airlines plane caught on fire after experiencing a critical issue in midair.
Passengers faced a terrifying scene as their Boeing 737-800 burst into flames at Denver International Airport after being diverted for “engine vibrations.”
Watch the video down below.
The latest incident raises fresh concerns about airline safety standards in an industry plagued by recent failures and close calls.
Originally traveling from Colorado Springs to Dallas-Fort Worth, the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in Denver after crew members detected engine problems.
The emergency forced passengers to evacuate using various means including emergency slides, an overwing exit, and a portable staircase.
Dramatic video footage from the scene showed visible smoke and flames underneath the right engine as first responders rushed to contain the situation.
“After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport, American Airlines Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue,” the airline said.
A spokesperson for the airline stated, “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.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) added, “After landing and while taxiing to the gate an engine caught fire and passengers evacuated the aircraft using the slides.”
Miraculously, all 172 passengers survived despite the horrifying inferno. Still, 12 people were hospitalized with minor injuries following the incident.
Following the incident, the airline announced a replacement aircraft for the remaining passengers to continue their journey to Dallas Fort-Worth.
However, many were likely to reconsider air travel after such a traumatic experience.
Passenger accounts revealed the terror felt aboard the plane. Gabrielle Hibbitts described a burning plastic smell that filled the cabin before panic spread among passengers.
Another passenger, Ingrid Hibbitts, expressed relief, saying:
“It was surreal. I was like, ‘Is this gonna blow up…What’s happening here? Are they gonna be able to put out the fire?’ I’m really grateful that this happened on the ground because if this happened in the air, I don’t think I’d be standing here telling you the story.”
The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident, which will likely focus on the timing and origin of the fire.
The emergency response team at Denver International Airport quickly extinguished the fire, preventing what could have been a much more devastating outcome.
Nevertheless, the incident raises serious questions about maintenance protocols and aircraft safety inspections, prompting everyday Americans to demand answers.
American Airlines currently operates one of the largest fleets of Boeing aircraft in the world.
With increasing mechanical incidents across various carriers, many question whether adequate attention is paid to passenger safety versus corporate profit margins and cost-cutting measures.
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