DENVER, July 27, 2025 — Flames erupted from an American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 on the tarmac at Denver International Airport Saturday afternoon, prompting an immediate emergency evacuation of the aircraft bound for Miami. The alarming incident, which witnesses described as terrifying, occurred just as the plane was accelerating for takeoff.
Dramatic evacuation unfolds as plane catches fire
A dramatic mid-takeoff acceleration scare led to the emergency evacuation of an American Airlines flight at Denver International Airport.
- An American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 caught fire on the Denver tarmac.
- The plane was accelerating for takeoff when the emergency occurred.
- Over 170 passengers and 6 crew members evacuated via emergency slides.
- Five individuals received on-site medical attention; one was hospitalized with minor injuries.
- The FAA is investigating a potential issue with the landing gear.
The terrifying ordeal began when a control tower technician alerted the flight crew: “You are going on fire.” Over 170 passengers and 6 crew members experienced moments of panic as the alarm sounded. A video captured the scene, showing passengers, some holding children, exiting the aircraft using emergency slides.
One passenger recounted the frightening experience: “During acceleration, when the plane was almost about to take off, we heard a rumor. I thought: something is going wrong. It was an unpleasant moment but luckily it happened when we weren’t in flight yet.”
The pilot swiftly halted the aircraft. Passengers then noticed smoke emanating from the landing gear. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames.
What caused the American Airlines flight emergency? Federal Aviation Administration officials stated the crew reported a possible landing gear malfunction around 2:45 p.m. local time. American Airlines indicated a maintenance issue with a tire prior to takeoff. The FAA has launched an investigation.
This incident follows a string of recent aviation scares in the U.S. Just days prior, a Boeing 737 in California narrowly avoided a collision with a fighter jet. Earlier, a Delta Connection regional flight in North Dakota had a near miss with a B-52 bomber.
Data from FlightWare indicated significant disruptions, with 240 flights departing from Denver International Airport experiencing delays until Saturday evening. Passengers from the affected flight were rebooked on a later flight to Miami.
