Airplane Passengers
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An American Airlines flight was evacuated at Denver International Airport on Sunday after a fire erupted as the plane taxied on the tarmac.
The Boeing 737-800, carrying 172 passengers and six crew members, had diverted to Denver after the crew reported engine vibrations. The flight, which originated in Colorado Springs and was destined for Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, landed safely around 17:15 local time. However, shortly after landing, a fire ignited, prompting an immediate evacuation via inflatable slides.
While there are no reports of serious injuries, airport officials have confirmed that 12 individuals were transported to local hospitals for treatment of minor injuries. Passengers were observed on the aircraft's wing as smoke engulfed the area, according to social media footage. American Airlines attributes the incident to an "engine-related issue," and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.
Airport spokesman Michael Konopasek stated that the fire was quickly extinguished and did not disrupt other airport operations. The incident occurs amid heightened scrutiny of aviation safety in North America. Recently, concerns were raised after a fatal crash in Washington DC involving an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter, resulting in 67 fatalities.
That incident sparked discussions about potential air traffic controller shortages and workload management. Adding to these concerns, the Trump administration recently terminated hundreds of FAA probationary workers as part of government cost-saving measures. These layoffs, which included maintenance mechanics and environmental compliance workers, occurred weeks after the Washington DC crash.
The initiative aligns with President Trump's advocacy for reduced government spending, supported by efforts led by tech billionaire Elon Musk under the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge).