An American Airlines plane was rapidly evacuated after one of its wheels caught fire at Denver International Airport. The Boeing 737 MAX 8, which was preparing to depart for Miami, was halted on the runway as emergency responders rushed to the scene. Passengers and crew members fled the aircraft through emergency slides to safety.
According to eyewitnesses, smoke and flames erupted from the left main landing gear, prompting air traffic control to warn the pilots of the fire. The crew initiated an emergency evacuation procedure, and all 179 passengers and crew members on board were safely evacuated.
One passenger was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, while five others received medical attention on site. The airport’s emergency services responded swiftly, extinguishing the fire and ensuring the situation was brought under control. The incident caused temporary disruptions to airport operations, with inbound flights experiencing delays. However, normal operations resumed shortly after the runway was cleared.
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause and ensure future preventive measures are in place. American Airlines has apologized for the disruption and assured passengers that safety remains their top priority. The aircraft involved has been taken out of service for inspection and maintenance.