American Airlines Flight 1665, an Airbus A321, experienced an engine malfunction shortly after taking off from Las Vegas on Wednesday morning.
American Airlines flight engine failure caught on camera
The aircraft had just departed Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) on a routine flight to Charlotte, North Carolina, when the incident occurred.
What happened during the flight
According to reports, the aircraft pushed back from gate D10 at around 07:57 and took off from runway 1R at approximately 08:11. As it climbed to about 4,000 feet, the crew reported engine trouble, prompting an emergency return.
Instead of heading east toward Charlotte, the plane turned west, flew past the famous Las Vegas Strip, then circled back to align with runway 1L. The plane touched down safely around 08:19.
Passersby recorded the incident on their phones. The footage showed black smoke pouring from the plane’s right engine, with brief flares of fire. One witness described the sound as “like things exploding in Las Vegas.”
The airport said that no injuries were reported among the 165 passengers onboard. After landing, emergency vehicles were standing by, but the aircraft was able to taxi back to the gate under its own power without any further issue.
Response from authorities and airline
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the crew reported an engine problem and requested to return to the airport. An airport spokesman said emergency services responded promptly, but thankfully, all passengers disembarked safely.
American Airlines released a statement saying:
“American Airlines flight 1665 returned to Las Vegas (LAS) shortly after takeoff due to a mechanical issue. The aircraft taxied to the gate under its own power and customers deplaned normally. We appreciate the professionalism of our crew and thank our team who are working to get our customers to their destinations as quickly as possible.”
What is an engine malfunction?
An engine malfunction happens when one of the plane’s engines does not work properly. Engines can produce power and help the plane fly. If there’s a problem—such as smoke, fire, or sudden loss of thrust—pilots follow safety procedures. These include returning to the nearest airport and landing as soon as possible to keep everyone onboard safe.
Engines sometimes emit smoke or flames if parts are damaged, worn, or overheated. Pilots and air traffic control work together to manage the problem. Planes are designed with multiple engines so that one engine failing does not prevent a safe return to the airport.a
After landing, the aircraft will undergo a detailed inspection by maintenance crews. They will carefully examine the faulty engine, including internal parts and surrounding systems, to determine what went wrong. The plane will not fly again until technicians confirm it is safe.