Mary Gilmore, Staff Writer
On Thursday, Mar. 13, An American Airlines flight caught fire after it diverted mid-flight and landed at Denver International Airport. All members on the flight survived with twelve sustaining minor injuries.
According to the airline report, American Airlines Flight 1006, a Boeing 737-800, was en route from Colorado Springs to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport when it detoured to Denver. There were 172 passengers and six crew members on board. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that the crew reported engine vibrations that caused the flight to land early. The flight landed around 5:15 p.m. local time, and as they were taxiing towards the gate, the engine caught fire. Those on board evacuated using the slides. American Airlines has called the fire an “engine-related issue” with no further explanation.
Many on the flight took to filming the incident and posting it on social media. One video shows the plane engulfed in smoke while passengers are evacuating onto the wings. Another video shows a crew on the ground attempting to eliminate the flames with a hose.
“We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority,” American Airlines said in a statement to the press.
Fox News reported there have been 19 deadly plane crashes in the United States this year. At least 106 people have died in fires, plane crashes, and even a deadly collision between two aircrafts. These statistics and the media surrounding these flights seem terrifying, yet there have actually been less incidents compared to the first two months of 2024. As reported by AviationPros, in the first two months of 2025, there have been 28 fewer plane incidents compared to the year before.
Additionally, statistics show that flying is still the safest mode of transportation and it has been for years. Federal officials have attempted to reassure travelers about this statement in the past few weeks. However, this aviation-related fire occurs at a time when public concerns about flight safety are on the rise.
Recently, a traveler was waiting in the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for her flight to Tampa after it had been delayed over five hours. When the ticket agent announced the flight would be delayed another hour, the traveler stated to others around her that it was completely okay and she’ll wait as long as needed for this flight to be safe.
While the fire in Denver was disheartening, it’s important to remember that aviation remains one of the safest modes of transportation. Accidents are rare, but safety starts with preparation following safety protocols and staying vigilant can make all the difference.
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