Passengers aboard an American Airlines flight that experienced a fire during an emergency landing in Denver shared harrowing accounts of their escape. Describing the experience as “nerve-wracking, terrifying and horrific,” one witness recounted the chaos that unfolded when the aircraft was forced to divert.
Emergency landing and evacuation
The flight, which had 172 individuals on board, was en route to Dallas when it encountered trouble. Upon landing, many passengers were seen standing on the wing of the aircraft, surrounded by thick plumes of smoke. Fortunately, all passengers and six crew members managed to exit the plane safely, although 12 individuals received medical attention for minor injuries, as confirmed by airport officials.
Michele Woods, a passenger who was returning home after a trade show, described how everything appeared normal during takeoff. However, while cruising, she noticed a loud noise emanating from one of the engines. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the aircraft diverted to Denver around 5:15 PM local time after the crew indicated experiencing “engine vibrations.”
A narrow escape
Despite the plane safely landing, the situation quickly escalated. “Everything was fine but then there was smoke filling the cabin,” Woods explained. Seated near the front, she was among the first to evacuate.
Others, including Ingrid Hibbit, faced a more challenging exit. Traveling with her husband and daughter, she recounted the frightening moments as flames were visible through the window, causing distress and confusion. “The windows were kind of melting,” Hibbit said. Forced onto the wing before reconnecting with her family, she struggled in her sandals, feeling shaken and unstable.
Communicating with her family only via text messages added to her anxiety, as she feared for their safety. “I was hoping everything was okay, but we really didn’t know for sure. It was a very long 10 minutes,” she reflected on the ordeal. Despite lasting only a short time, the experience was overwhelmingly tense.
Ultimately, the family arrived at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on Friday morning. Relief flooded over them as they realized everyone was safe, especially after such an “exhausting” incident that marred the start of their family holiday. Hibbit concluded, “If this would’ve happened in the air, I don’t think we would be telling this story at all, because who knows what that would’ve been like. I’m grateful that everyone survived.”