Chaos unfolded at Denver International Airport after an American Airlines flight bound for Miami was abruptly halted on the runway when a tyre caught fire moments before take-off, prompting the emergency evacuation of all 179 people onboard.
The incident occurred on July 27 (IST), just as the aircraft was preparing to depart. Thick smoke was seen rising from the rear left wheel of the plane, as captured in a video circulating on social media. Passengers can be seen scrambling down emergency slides while smoke billowed from the aircraft’s rear section.
“There were 173 passengers and six crew members onboard. All customers and crew deplaned safely,” the airline said in a statement. At least one passenger suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital for evaluation.
The flight was immediately grounded and emergency responders arrived on the scene in accordance with safety protocols. The aircraft has since been removed from service pending a full inspection by maintenance crews.
American Airlines confirmed the disruption and issued an apology: “We thank our team members for their professionalism and apologise to our customers for their experience.”
Passengers impacted by the cancellation are being accommodated on a replacement flight.
While the swift response helped avert a larger disaster, the incident has reignited concerns over aircraft safety, particularly during the busy summer travel season. An investigation into the cause of the tyre fire is currently underway.
