A dangerous incident was narrowly avoided last Saturday at Denver International Airport in Colorado, USA, when American Airlines Flight 3023 was preparing to depart for Miami.
Smoke and fire began to emerge from the 737 MAX 8 aircraft after an issue with its landing gear. Passengers were immediately evacuated using emergency slides.
All 173 passengers and 6 crew members on board were safely removed from the plane. Although some passengers underwent health check-ups, no serious injuries were found, according to the Denver Fire Department. One passenger was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Videos of the incident widely shared on various media outlets and social media show passengers screaming in fear as they flee the aircraft. Smoke and fire can be seen coming from underneath the plane. Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire, bringing the situation under control.
This incident marks the second major aircraft mishap since Friday. Just a day earlier, a Southwest Airlines plane experienced a sudden drop, causing passengers to be jolted from their seats and hit the cabin ceiling.
American Airlines stated, “Flight 3023 experienced a wheel-related maintenance issue. We appreciate our passengers’ patience and our crew’s professionalism.”
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the incident. Passengers were rebooked on a new flight to Miami. All flights at Denver Airport were temporarily halted for a short period but have since resumed regular service.
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