American Airlines passengers exit via emergency slide as plane catches fire before takeoff in Denver

DENVER, COLORADO: A routine American Airlines flight turned into a terrifying experience on Saturday afternoon when Flight 3023, bound for Miami, was forced to abort takeoff at Denver International Airport after its landing gear caught fire on the runway.

Smoke quickly filled the area, and passengers were evacuated via emergency slides in a rescue operation. Authorities confirmed that all 173 passengers and six crew members were safely evacuated, though one person was hospitalized with minor injuries.

The incident, which occurred around 2:45 pm local time, involved a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft and is now under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Eyewitness accounts, video footage from the runway, and statements from authorities paint a picture of swift emergency response and sheer panic aboard the plane moments before what could have been a major disaster.

Landing gear fire prompts emergency evacuation on runway

According to the FAA, the aircraft reported a "possible landing gear incident during departure." The plane had just begun accelerating on the runway when the left main wheels apparently caught fire, prompting the pilot to abort the takeoff.

Video footage captured passengers scrambling down emergency slides as thick smoke billowed from beneath the aircraft.

In audio from air traffic control obtained from LiveATC.net, the pilot can be heard telling the tower, “We’re aborting on the runway.” The controller quickly responded, “You got a lot of smoke,” followed moments later by, “There was some flames, it looks like the smoke’s kind of dying down a bit.”

The plane had reached a speed of 127 knots (nearly 150 miles per hour) before deceleration. One passenger, Mark Tsurkis, 50, told CBS NEWS he heard “a loud boom” as the plane began its takeoff roll. “I said, ‘That’s not good,’” he recalled, explaining that panic set in once someone shouted, “Smoke, fire!”

Passengers safely evacuated, one hospitalized

American Airlines confirmed that all passengers and crew safely deplaned. The Denver Fire Department responded immediately and extinguished the blaze by 5:10 pm.

According to Denver International Airport officials, “Five people were evaluated on scene and not transported. One person was evaluated at a gate and was transported [to a hospital].”

The individual hospitalized suffered only minor injuries, while others were treated for possible shock and minor issues caused during the evacuation.

American Airlines later said the fire was caused by a maintenance issue involving a tire on the landing gear. “All customers and crew deplaned safely, and the aircraft was taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance team,” the airline said in an official statement.

The FAA has launched a formal investigation to determine the root cause of the fire and assess whether safety protocols were adequately followed.

Passenger criticized for luggage-over-child evacuation

One passenger drew public criticism after footage surfaced showing him sliding down the aircraft’s inflatable chute with a child in one hand, held by the neck, and luggage in the other. He appeared to stumble and nearly fall on the child upon exiting the plane.

The video quickly went viral and sparked a debate about passenger priorities during emergencies.

"No. Any luggage increases the risk of the slide being punctured. This will trap everyone behind you. Grab your wallet. Leave your bags, " an X user wrote.

Another wrote, "Luggage can wait, kid."

A user joked, "What if he couldn't afford a third seat and the luggage contains his other child?" one wrote.

While one mentioned, "He hurt his child, he stumbled over him/her. And if the crew is at the doors organizing the evacuation, why they didnt took the bags off the parents and other passengers?"

"No one here knows what's in that luggage and whether it's critical or not to the health of him or the kid. Let's not judge. Feels wrong and helps no one," stated a user. 

Repeat incident at Denver airport raises concerns

This marks the second incident involving fire on an American Airlines plane at Denver International Airport in just five months. In March 2025, a Dallas-bound Boeing 737-800 experienced a fire that also forced an emergency evacuation of 172 passengers and six crew members.

Although no serious injuries were reported in either event, the recurrence has raised concerns about maintenance standards and aircraft readiness.

A replacement aircraft was arranged to fly the stranded passengers to Miami later that evening. American Airlines extended its apologies, stating, “We thank our team members for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for their experience.”

Meanwhile, the FAA has confirmed its probe into the fire and emphasized that more details will be released following a full mechanical inspection of the aircraft. The airline has pledged full cooperation in the investigation and assured the public that safety remains its top priority.

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