Passengers aboard an American Airlines flight were forced to evacuate onto the wing of a Boeing 737-800 after the aircraft caught fire upon landing at Denver International Airport.

The flight, which had departed from Colorado Springs en route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, was diverted to Denver after the crew reported "engine vibrations" at approximately 5:15 pm local time (2315 GMT), according to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The fire broke out while the aircraft was taxiing, prompting an emergency evacuation.

Videos circulating on social media showed thick black smoke billowing from the plane, with flames visible near the right engine. Passengers were seen climbing onto the wing before descending via inflatable slides. Ground crews rushed to assist, using ladders to help passengers disembark.

American Airlines confirmed that all 172 passengers and six crew members were safely evacuated. However, the airport later reported that 12 people had been transported to hospitals with minor injuries.

Airport spokesperson Michael Konopasek said the fire was swiftly extinguished and did not cause disruptions to other flights. "Smoke was visible from multiple gates, but operations remained unaffected," he stated.

The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident, which comes amid rising concerns over aviation safety following a series of high-profile air accidents in North America.

Aviation safety concerns

The fire at Denver International Airport follows a recent string of air incidents, including a deadly crash in Washington, DC, where an American Airlines regional jet collided mid-air with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter, killing 67 people.

The incident has reignited discussions over air traffic controller shortages and FAA staffing issues. The Trump administration recently terminated hundreds of FAA probationary workers as part of cost-cutting measures, a move that aviation experts have criticized.

Despite recent accidents, industry specialists maintain that air travel remains among the safest modes of transportation. Dr Daniel Adjekum, an aviation safety expert, described the recent incidents as "theatrical but not indicative of systemic failure." Similarly, Dr Hassan Shahidi of the Flight Safety Foundation emphasized that the US aviation system is well-regulated, with thousands of flights operating safely each day.

The fire at Denver Airport coincided with an unrelated explosion at a nearby assisted living facility, which injured 10 people and displaced 87 residents. Authorities believe a power line struck during construction caused the explosion.

Denver International Airport, one of the busiest in the US, handles approximately 1,500 flights daily. The FAA has assured that a full inquiry into the cause of the American Airlines fire is underway.