Passengers aboard American Airlines Flight 1006 were forced to evacuate on emergency slides after the aircraft’s engine caught fire while taxiing at Denver International Airport.
What happened at Denver Airport?
According to reports, the Boeing 737-800, which had departed from Colorado Springs and was en route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, was diverted to Denver due to reported engine vibrations.
The fire broke out just before 18:00 Mountain Time on Thursday (around 02:00 SAST on Friday), shortly after the plane had landed safely.
As flames became visible, crew members initiated an emergency evacuation procedure, with passengers using inflatable slides to exit the aircraft.
Emergency responders arrived swiftly, extinguishing the fire, and ensuring the safety of all on board. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
What American Airlines said about the incident
American Airlines issued a statement confirming the fire and evacuation.
“We thank our crew members, the Denver International Airport team, and first responders for their quick and decisive action, with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority,” the airline said.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also commented on the event, stating that they were investigating the cause of the engine fire and reviewing the aircraft’s maintenance records. Airport operations resumed without major disruptions following the incident.
In the US, airline passengers have legal grounds to sue if they suffer physical injury or emotional distress due to an aviation incident. Lawsuits against airlines typically arise from mechanical failures, negligence in maintenance, or improper emergency response.
In this case, while no injuries were reported, some passengers may argue emotional distress, particularly if they experienced trauma from the evacuation.
If an FAA investigation reveals that American Airlines failed to maintain the aircraft properly, passengers could have stronger legal standing for claims.
The airline may offer compensation or refunds to affected passengers, which is a common practice in incidents involving emergency landings or evacuations.
However, without significant harm or negligence, a lawsuit may not gain much traction.