Multiple videos on social media captured an American Airlines plane partially engulfed in flames at Denver International Airport on Thursday.
Newsweek reached out to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Recent plane crashes and other close calls have escalated concerns on the state of air travel safety in America.
This is not the first incident involving American Airlines this year, as a jet collided midair with a Black Hawk military helicopter in January near Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport.
What To Know
The FAA said in a preliminary statement on Thursday: “American Airlines Flight 1006 diverted to and landed safely at Denver International Airport around 5:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, March 13, after the crew reported engine vibrations.”
The agency added: “After landing and while taxiing to the gate an engine caught fire and passengers evacuated the aircraft using the slides. The Boeing 737-800 departed Colorado Springs Airport and was headed to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The FAA will investigate. Please contact the airline for additional information.”
As news of the fire spread, videos popped up on X, formerly Twitter.
The X account @flynnstone posted a video of people standing on the wing of the aircraft as gray smoke could be seen billowing from the plane.
In a follow-up video by @flynnstone, crew members could be seen hosing down the craft’s engine.
X user @AlexandriaCTV also posted a video showing gray smoke and people fleeing the plane on the tarmac. The video appeared to have been taken at ground level.
Another video was posted to X by @EdKrassen, also capturing a fire scorching the plane’s engine.
What People Are Saying
American Airlines, in a statement to FOX31 Denver: “After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport (DEN), American Airlines Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue. The 172 customers and six crew members deplaned and are being relocated to the terminal. 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.”
CNN correspondent Pete Muntean posted to X on Thursday: “NEW IMAGES from @steve_schilsky show American Airlines flight 1006 at the gate in Denver with an engine on fire. At least some passengers evacuated onto the left wing. American says 178 people on board.”
What Happens Next
It is immediately unknown if an investigation into the fire will occur, and if so, which agency will lead it.
Update 3/13/25, 10:13 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
