Watch: American Airlines plane catches fire at Denver airport

Photos and videos shared by news outlets showed smoke billowing around the aircraft as passengers stood on the wing. According to the FAA, they evacuated using emergency slides, reported by Associated Press (AP).

🚨 BREAKING: American Airlines Plane Erupts in Flames at Denver Airport—Passengers Evacuate in Chaos

This isn’t normal.

🔥 An American Airlines plane just caught fire at Denver International Airport.

🔥 Passengers were forced to evacuate onto the wing as flames and thick smoke… pic.twitter.com/VWkUm1B1rn

— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) March 14, 2025

In a statement, American Airlines confirmed the incident, saying the flight experienced an “engine-related issue after taxiing to the gate.” However, it was unclear exactly when the fire started.

All 172 passengers and six crew members were safely taken to the terminal, and no injuries were reported.

“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,” the airline said.

Firefighters managed to put out the blaze later in the evening, an airport spokesperson told reporters.

The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident. This comes amid growing concerns over aviation safety following a series of recent air travel incidents across the country. However, experts continue to stress that flying remains one of the safest modes of transportation.