American Airlines Passengers Evacuate Onto Wing After Plane Catches Fire at Denver Airport

Passengers of American Airlines flight AA1006 are recovering after a close call.

Over 175 people were forced to evacuate from their evening flight March 13 at Denver International Airport after the airplane caught fire while taxiing to a gate, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement, per People. 

The statement noted that the aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, “diverted to and landed safely at Denver International Airport” after crew members reported “engine vibrations” amid a flight from Colorado Springs—about 70 miles from Denver—to Dallas. After landing safely, however, “an engine caught fire and passengers were evacuated using the slides.”

In a separate statement to NBC News, American Airlines noted that the fire was later extinguished. 

“After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport (DEN), American Airlines Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue,” the airline said. “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.”