New Delhi: A significant aviation mishap was narrowly prevented at Denver Worldwide Airport when an American Airways flight headed to Miami was pressured to halt its takeoff after a touchdown gear failure sparked a fireplace and despatched smoke billowing throughout the runway.
Emergency crews responded swiftly, evacuating all 173 passengers onboard. Officers reported that one particular person sustained a minor harm throughout the evacuation.
The plane, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 working as flight AA-3023, was scheduled to depart at roughly 2:45 p.m. native time on Saturday when the difficulty occurred. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later described the incident as a “potential touchdown gear malfunction.”
Footage from the scene confirmed a chaotic evacuation, with terrified passengers sliding down emergency chutes whereas flames and thick smoke poured from the underside of the aircraft.
Emergency responders, together with Denver Hearth Division personnel and airport rescue groups, had been shortly mobilised to the scene.
In line with an announcement from the airport, the hearth occurred whereas the plane was nonetheless on the runway. 5 passengers had been evaluated on the web site, and one was transported for additional medical consideration. The hearth was formally declared extinguished by 5:10 p.m.
American Airways later attributed the issue to a upkeep situation involving a tire on the touchdown gear. “All clients and crew deplaned safely, and the plane was taken out of service for inspection,” the airline mentioned in an official assertion. Passengers had been transported to the terminal by shuttle buses after evacuation.
This marks the second fire-related occasion involving a Boeing 737-800 collection plane at Denver Airport in simply 5 months. In March, one other American Airways flight, this one sure for Dallas, caught hearth on the tarmac, elevating considerations over upkeep and security requirements.
The FAA has launched an investigation into the newest incident to find out the precise trigger and guarantee future preventive measures are in place.
(With inputs from IANS)