12 Hospitalized After American Airlines Plane Catches Fire at Denver Airport

Denver : Twelve people were hospitalized with minor injuries after an American Airlines plane caught fire upon landing at Denver International Airport on Thursday. Passengers had to evacuate using emergency slides, according to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by airport officials.

Incident Details

Flight 1006, traveling from Colorado Springs Airport to Dallas Fort Worth, was diverted to Denver due to engine vibrations, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported. The Boeing 737-800 landed safely at 5:15 p.m., but while taxiing to the gate, one of its engines caught fire.

Evacuation and Response

News footage and social media posts showed passengers standing on the plane’s wing, surrounded by smoke. The FAA confirmed that passengers evacuated via emergency slides.

American Airlines stated that the engine issue occurred after taxiing to the gate, but it was unclear exactly when the fire started. The 172 passengers and six crew members were safely moved to the terminal.

“We appreciate the swift response of our crew, DEN staff, and first responders, prioritizing the safety of those on board and on the ground,” American Airlines said.

Investigation Underway

Firefighters extinguished the blaze by the evening, an airport spokesperson confirmed. The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident.

This event comes amid growing concerns over aviation safety, following a series of recent air travel incidents. However, experts continue to emphasize that flying remains one of the safest modes of transportation.