Travelers Exit Aircraft on Wings Due to Engine Fire on American Airlines Plane at Denver Airport
Rewritten Article:
In an unexpected turn of events, an American Airlines plane’s engine ignited at Denver International Airport. The incident occurred Thursday evening as the aircraft was diverted to the airport. Passengers onboard American Airlines flight 1006 had to evacuate onto the plane’s wing, engulfed by choking smoke.
According to a government source, these displaced passengers were evacuated at the gate. The flight, initially heading to Dallas-Fort Worth from Colorado Springs, touched down in Denver around 5 p.m. local time, as per data from FlightAware.com.
Footage from the airport captures a thrilling sight of numerous passengers evacuating the aircraft, standing precariously on the plane’s wing, while smoke filled the air.
The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, from which six crew members and 172 passengers de planed after the engine blaze at the Denver airport, had a representative from American Airlines confirm to CNN. The passengers and flight crew were subsequently moved to the airport's terminal.
"We'd like to express our gratitude to our crew members, DEN team, and first responders for their swift and decisive action," the airline stated, emphasizing the safety of everyone involved as the priority.
The plane came to a halt at gate C38, where the fire erupted, according to a Denver International Airport spokesperson, who confirmed that the fire was eventually extinguished, all passengers were safely evacuated, and there were no injuries reported.
A video captured by a Montana woman, preparing for her connecting flight in the airport, shows a massive plume of smoke from the plane rising as dozens of passengers hasten to escape.
Leonard, who was flying in from Helena, Montana, informed CNN that she had been waiting inside the Denver International Airport for her onward flight to Colorado Springs. It was here that she witnessed flames and smoke enveloping the plane from her vantage point.
"I was petrified for those passengers," Leonard recalled. "I can barely imagine the sheer terror they must have experienced."
This is an evolving story and will be updated.
Ashley R. Williams, a CNN reporter, contributed to this report.
- The Boeing 737-800 airplane, which American Airlines flight 1006 was operating, contributed to the fort of Leonard, a passenger from Helena, Montana, as she witnessed the sudden engine ignition but was safely evacuated without injury.
- Despite the fortuitous event forcing a diversion of American Airlines flight 1006 to Denver International Airport, the airline, along with the crew members, the DEN team, and first responders, managed to ensure the safety of all 178 passengers and six crew members onboard.
- The engine blaze at gate C38 in Denver International Airport potentially caused quite an ordeal for the 178 passengers, but the swift action of the airline's team, the airport staff, and first responders ensured that they were eventually moved to the terminal, united and safe.
