Flight’s touchdown gear catches hearth at US airport; aborts takeoff

A doubtlessly critical aviation incident was averted at Denver Worldwide Airport when an American Airways flight certain for Miami was compelled to abort takeoff as a result of a malfunction within the touchdown gear that triggered a hearth and smoke on the runway.

All 173 passengers onboard have been safely evacuated in an emergency operation, although one particular person sustained a minor damage, authorities confirmed.

The flight, designated AA-3023, was operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8. The plane was getting ready for departure on Saturday round 2:45 p.m. (native time) when it encountered what the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later described as a “potential touchdown gear incident.”

Dramatic video footage captured the chaos that adopted, exhibiting frightened passengers sliding down the emergency chutes whereas flames and thick smoke engulfed the plane’s undercarriage.

Emergency responders, together with Denver Fireplace Division personnel and airport rescue groups, have been shortly mobilised to the scene.

In response to an announcement from the airport, the fireplace occurred whereas the plane was nonetheless on the runway. 5 passengers have been evaluated on the website, and one was transported for additional medical consideration. The fireplace was formally declared extinguished by 5:10 pm.

American Airways later attributed the issue to a upkeep concern involving a tire on the touchdown gear. “All clients and crew deplaned safely, and the plane was taken out of service for inspection,” the airline mentioned in an official assertion. Passengers have been transported to the terminal by shuttle buses after evacuation.

This marks the second fire-related occasion involving a Boeing 737-800 sequence plane at Denver Airport in simply 5 months. In March, one other American Airways flight, this one certain for Dallas, caught hearth on the tarmac, elevating issues over upkeep and security requirements.

The FAA has launched an investigation into the newest incident to find out the precise trigger and guarantee future preventive measures are in place.