Flames Erupt from American Airlines Plane Before Takeoff, 179 Passengers Evacuated Safely
Miami(The Uttam Hindu): A major aviation mishap was narrowly avoided on Saturday in the United States when an American Airlines flight AA-3023 encountered a technical snag just before takeoff at Denver International Airport. The Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, which was scheduled to depart for Miami, had 179 passengers and crew members on board when smoke and flames suddenly erupted from the landing gear.
As soon as the issue was detected during takeoff preparations, the crew initiated emergency protocols, alerting airport authorities. Firefighters and emergency teams quickly reached the scene, safely evacuating all passengers. One traveler sustained minor injuries during the evacuation. Passengers were transported from the runway to the terminal via shuttle buses.
In an official statement, American Airlines clarified that the incident was caused by a maintenance-related problem in the aircraft’s tire. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed receiving an alert at 2:45 PM regarding a possible landing gear malfunction.
A video circulating online shows smoke rising from near the aircraft’s tire while passengers exit in panic. The airport’s fire unit brought the situation under control by 5:10 PM, preventing any major damage. The FAA has launched a detailed investigation into the incident.