- An American Airlines Boeing 737-800 caught fire after making an emergency landing in Denver due to engine vibrations. All 178 passengers evacuated, with 12 suffering minor injuries.
- The plane, which was flying from Colorado Springs to Dallas-Fort Worth, landed at 5:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, March 13, and ignited while taxiing to the gate.
- The FAA launched an investigation into the incident, the latest in a series of high-profile aviation accidents in 2025.
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A Boeing 737-800 carrying 178 people made an emergency landing at Denver International Airport after the flight crew reported engine vibrations. The aircraft, American Airlines Flight 1006, was traveling from Colorado Springs to Dallas-Fort Worth when it diverted to Denver.
How did the fire start?
After landing around 5:15 p.m. local time Thursday, March 13, the plane caught fire while taxiing to the gate. Thick smoke filled the cabin, forcing passengers to evacuate using emergency slides and overwing exits.
Videos on social media showed flames coming from the aircraft as passengers rushed to safety.
Airport officials said firefighters responded immediately and extinguished the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Were there any injuries?
Twelve passengers sustained minor injuries and were taken to a hospital. The remaining 166 passengers and six crew members safely evacuated.
A passenger described smelling burning plastic before the fire broke out. Another passenger expressed relief that the incident occurred on the ground rather than in the air.
What happens next?
American Airlines provided a replacement aircraft for passengers to continue their journey to Dallas. The FAA will examine the aircraft and determine what led to the engine issue and subsequent fire.
This incident is one of several aviation emergencies reported in early 2025, including a mid-air collision near Washington, D.C., and multiple plane crashes in Arizona, Alaska and Pennsylvania.
