12 passengers rushed to hospital after American Airways aircraft catches hearth on tarmac of Denver airport

An American Airways aircraft carrying 178 individuals caught hearth on the tarmac after making an emergency touchdown at Denver Worldwide Airport Thursday night, forcing many passengers to evacuate by climbing out onto a wing and with emergency slides. Airport officers stated 12 passengers had been taken to a hospital with minor accidents.

The hearth began simply earlier than 6 p.m. Mountain Time after the aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, diverted to the airport resulting from what gave the impression to be an engine problem. 

The Federal Aviation Administration informed CBS Information in a press release that American Airways Flight 1006 had departed from Colorado Springs Airport and was sure for Dallas Fort Value Worldwide Airport when the “crew reported engine vibrations.”

“After touchdown and whereas taxiing to the gate an engine caught hearth and passengers evacuated the plane utilizing the slides,” the FAA stated.

In a separate assertion, American Airways stated the aircraft skilled an “engine-related problem” after it had landed and taxied to the gate.

The airline stated all 172 passengers and 6 crewmembers bought off and had been “being relocated to the terminal.”

The aircraft wound up parking at gate C38 at Concource C.

A number of movies posted on social media present flames coming from the aircraft and other people evacuating by climbing onto a wing. Heavy smoke was seen coming from the aircraft throughout the chaotic scene.

An airport official informed CBS Information the hearth was extinguished quickly afterwards.

A member of the family of one of many passengers informed CBS Information Colorado that each one the bags was taken off the aircraft and the passengers had been being rebooked for a flight that was scheduled to depart Denver for Dallas at 1 a.m. native time Friday. American Airways later confirmed that it was sending a substitute plane and crew to assist prospects proceed on to DFW.

One passenger, Gabrielle Hibbitts, informed CBS Information Colorado that, “As quickly because the aircraft landed, we smelled this bizarre burning plastic scent after which all people began screaming and saying there was a hearth.”

She stated as soon as she and her sister had been a protected distance away, “We noticed the aircraft … and there was smoke all over the place.”

Their mom, Ingrid Hibbitts, informed CBS Information Colorado, “It was surreal. I used to be like, ‘Is that this gonna blow up. … What’s occurring right here? Are they gonna be capable to put out the hearth?’ I am actually grateful that this occurred on the bottom as a result of if this occurred within the air, I do not assume I might be standing right here telling you the story.”

CBS Information transportation security analyst Robert Sumwalt, a former chairman of the Nationwide Transportation Security Board, stated the emergency response on Thursday reveals “the significance of getting well-trained pilots, well-trained flight attendants, well-trained airport rescue and firefighting personnel and air visitors controllers, all working collectively to make sure a protected end result when one thing like this occurs.”

Sumwalt stated it is probably the FAA investigation into the incident will give attention to when and the place the hearth began.

“We have to essentially perceive precisely when this smoke began and … I am undecided precisely why rapidly, once they bought to the gate, the smoke began filling the passenger cabin. I feel that can be part of the investigation,” Sumwalt stated.

contributed to this report.