American Airlines Passengers Evacuated After Plane Catches on Fire at Denver Airport

Mar. 15, 2025

Over 175 people were evacuated from an American Airlines flight that caught on fire at Denver International Airport on Thursday, March 13, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE.Around 5:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, “after the crew reported engine vibrations,” flight AA1006 “diverted to and landed safely at Denver International Airport,” per the FAA statement.“After landing and while taxiing to the gate an engine caught fire and passengers evacuated the aircraft using the slides,” the statement continued.According to photos, the passengers evacuated to the plane’s wings.The Boeing 737-800 aircraft originally departed Colorado Springs Airport at 4:37 p.m., perFlightAware, and was headed to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, per the FAA statement. Colorado Springs Airport is approximately a 45-minute flight from Denver International Airport.The FAA confirmed that the agency will investigate the incident.Denver International Airport toldFOX31that the plane was producing “visible smoke” while sitting at gate C38. Additionally, as of 6:15 p.m. local time, there were no reported injuries.American Airlines plane caught fire while at a gate at Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado, March 13, 2025.BRANDEN WILLIAMS/Courtesy of Branden Williams/AFP via GettyThe fire was extinguished, an airport spokesperson told PEOPLE.“After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport (DEN), American Airlines Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue,” American Airlines said in a statement to PEOPLE. “The 172 customers and six crew members deplaned and are being relocated to the terminal. We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority.“BRANDEN WILLIAMS/Courtesy of Branden Williams/AFP via GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.One Denver airport passenger posted footage of the incident to their Instagram profile. “Fire at@denairporton@americanairunbelievable! Ground crews worked fast and got it out quick. Saw passengers flee through the smoke,” the user captioned thepost.

Over 175 people were evacuated from an American Airlines flight that caught on fire at Denver International Airport on Thursday, March 13, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE.

Around 5:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, “after the crew reported engine vibrations,” flight AA1006 “diverted to and landed safely at Denver International Airport,” per the FAA statement.

“After landing and while taxiing to the gate an engine caught fire and passengers evacuated the aircraft using the slides,” the statement continued.

According to photos, the passengers evacuated to the plane’s wings.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft originally departed Colorado Springs Airport at 4:37 p.m., perFlightAware, and was headed to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, per the FAA statement. Colorado Springs Airport is approximately a 45-minute flight from Denver International Airport.

The FAA confirmed that the agency will investigate the incident.

Denver International Airport toldFOX31that the plane was producing “visible smoke” while sitting at gate C38. Additionally, as of 6:15 p.m. local time, there were no reported injuries.

American Airlines plane caught fire while at a gate at Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado, March 13, 2025.BRANDEN WILLIAMS/Courtesy of Branden Williams/AFP via Getty

BRANDEN WILLIAMS/Courtesy of Branden Williams/AFP via Getty

The fire was extinguished, an airport spokesperson told PEOPLE.

“After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport (DEN), American Airlines Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue,” American Airlines said in a statement to PEOPLE. “The 172 customers and six crew members deplaned and are being relocated to the terminal. We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

One Denver airport passenger posted footage of the incident to their Instagram profile. “Fire at@denairporton@americanairunbelievable! Ground crews worked fast and got it out quick. Saw passengers flee through the smoke,” the user captioned thepost.

source: people.com