An American Airlines plane caught fire at Denver International Airport forcing passengers to stand on the wing while evacuating safely.
An American Airlines plane caught fire at Denver International Airport on March 13, 2025.
This incident caused panic as passengers were forced to evacuate quickly.
The Boeing 737-800 was carrying many individuals when the fire broke out.
American Airlines plane bursts into flames at airport
The aircraft had taken off from Colorado Springs and was headed to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Shortly after takeoff, the crew noticed engine vibrations. This prompted them to divert the flight to Denver.
The plane landed safely, but the situation quickly escalated.
As the plane was taxiing on the tarmac, flames erupted from the engine. Thick black smoke began to fill the area, creating a frightening scene.
Passengers were instructed to leave the aircraft immediately. They used emergency slides to exit the plane.
Passengers forced to evacuate on wing as the plane catches fire
In the chaos of the evacuation, some passengers found themselves standing on the wing of the aircraft.
Videos shared on social media showed individuals trying to escape as smoke billowed around them.
The alarming sight frightened many people understandably.
Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the passengers or crew. Everyone managed to evacuate safely.
Emergency services responded quickly to the incident, working to extinguish the flames and ensure the safety of those involved.
FAA launches investigation after the incident
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it would investigate the cause of the fire.
It is unclear how the flames started. The investigation aims to find answers and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Many passengers shared their experiences after the event.
Some expressed shock and fear during the evacuation. Others were grateful for the quick response from the crew.
They praised the flight attendants for their calmness and professionalism in a scary situation.
Social Media Reactions
One user said: Glad they all got out as they had to go somewhere but the wings are where fuel tanks are.
The second user added: Standing on a wing with the plane on fire but dont the wings have fuel in internal fuel tanks?
The third user commented: Can someone please explain what the heck is going on with air travel? Seems like an incident a day.
The fourth user wrote: America is suffering from a competency crisis.
Another user said: Seems like the friendly skys ain’t so friendly anymore.
Someone added: It’s a Boeing built by DEI. I will never book a flight on a plane made by Boeing.
American Airlines Responds
American Airlines released a statement regarding the fire.
They confirmed that the flight was diverted and that all passengers were safely evacuated.
The airline expressed gratitude to the emergency responders for their swift actions. They also assured customers that safety is their top priority.