American Airlines® Plane Catches Fire After Emergency Landing in Denver

What began as a short domestic flight ended in panic on the tarmac at Denver International Airport. On March 13, 2025, an American Airlines^® plane carrying 178 people caught fire after making an emergency landing. Thick smoke filled the cabin, passengers fled down emergency slides, and 12 people were hospitalized with minor injuries.

Loud Noises in the Air

American Airlines Flight 1006 departed Colorado Springs Airport en route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Shortly after takeoff, the crew reported engine vibrations, prompting the diversion to Denver, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Passenger Michele Woods told WDEF that takeoff felt normal. Once in the air, one of the engines began making a loud noise. The flight crew chose to land at Denver as a precaution.

Flames on the Tarmac

The Boeing 737-800 landed just before 6 p.m. local time. As the aircraft taxied to gate C38 at Concourse C, one of the engines caught fire. Passengers were instructed to evacuate immediately using emergency slides, and many climbed onto a wing to escape the smoke, according to video footage and statements from airport officials.

American Airlines said the fire stemmed from an engine-related issue that began after landing but before passengers had deplaned. The airline confirmed that all 172 passengers and six crew members were safely evacuated and transported to the terminal.

Fear and Fast Action

Several passengers described the moments of confusion and fear. Gabrielle Hibbitts told CBS News Colorado that, “As soon as the plane landed, we smelled this weird burning plastic smell and then everybody started screaming and saying there was a fire.”

Her mother, Ingrid Hibbitts, said, “It was surreal. I was like, ‘Is this gonna blow up. … What’s happening here? Are they gonna be able to put out the fire?’ I’m really grateful that this happened on the ground because if this happened in the air, I don’t think I’d be standing here telling you the story,” according to CBS News.

Woods, seated near the front, said “(The plane) landed, everything was fine but then there was smoke filling the cabin,” as reported by WDEF. Thankfully, she was able to walk off the aircraft safely.

Quick Response and Investigation

Denver airport officials said the fire was quickly extinguished. Emergency personnel treated injured passengers, and 12 were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries.

CBS News transportation safety analyst Robert Sumwalt, a former NTSB chairman, said, “We’ve got to really understand exactly when this smoke started and … I’m not sure exactly why all of a sudden, when they got to the gate, the smoke started filling the passenger cabin. I think that will be a part of the investigation,” as reported by CBS News. The incident highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts among pilots, flight attendants, air traffic control, and emergency crews. He noted that investigators will likely focus on when exactly the fire started and why smoke began filling the cabin after the plane had already reached the gate.

A Long Night, a Late Arrival

After the evacuation, American Airlines arranged for passengers to be rebooked on a replacement flight. A family member told CBS News Colorado that the new flight was scheduled to depart at 1 a.m. local time on Friday. The airline later confirmed it sent a new aircraft and crew to continue the journey to Dallas.

According to WDEF, the passengers arrived at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport nearly 12 hours after they first took off from Colorado Springs.

Though exhausted and shaken, passengers are likely grateful to have made it to safety. One thing is clear: fast decision-making by the flight crew and emergency responders helped avoid what could have been a far worse disaster.

References: 12 passengers rushed to hospital after American Airlines plane catches fire on tarmac of Denver airport | American Airlines passengers detail “surreal, exhausting” experience after plane fire, arriving in Dallas