Denver: Panic unfolded at the Denver International Airport after an American Airlines plane's tyre caught fire just before take-off, forcing the emergency evacuation of all 179 people onboard.
The flight, which was scheduled to depart for Miami on July 27 (IST), was brought to an abrupt halt on the runway as smoke billowed from the aircraft’s rear section.
A video circulating online shows the moment passengers rushed down emergency slides while thick smoke rose from the aircraft’s left rear wheel.
The incident left travellers panicked, with at least one passenger sustaining minor injuries and later being taken to hospital for evaluation.
“There were 173 passengers and six crew members onboard. “All customers and crew deplaned safely, and the aircraft was taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance team," the airline confirmed in a statement.
The airline also acknowledged the disruption, adding, “We thank our team members for their professionalism and apologise to our customers for their experience.”
Flight Grounded, Investigation Underway
The aircraft, set to fly from Denver (DEN) to Miami (MIA), was met by emergency responders who acted in line with safety protocols. The cause of the tyre fire is yet to be determined, and the plane has been grounded for inspection.
Passengers affected by the incident are being rebooked onto a replacement flight.
While the quick response helped prevent a major tragedy, the incident has once again raised concerns around in-flight safety, especially during peak summer travel.
