American Airlines flight catches fire at Denver airport – ABC News – Breaking News, Latest News and Videos

American Airlines flight catches fire at Denver airport  ABC News – Breaking News, Latest News and Videos

The incident involving an American Airlines plane took place Thursday evening at Denver International Airport. The incident took place Thursday after a mechanical issue diverted the plane. An American Airlines plane caught fire at Denver International Airport in Colorado on Thursday, sending passengers down emergency slides and onto the wing of the aircraft. Twelve people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, airport officials said. The Boeing 737-800 plane was diverted to Denver shortly after departing from Colorado Springs, Colorado. While the plane was taxiing to the gate, the engine caught fire, and its passengers evacuated. The incident, which sent smoke billowing across the tarmac, took place at approximately 5:15 p.m., local time.

There were 172 passengers and six crew members aboard AA Flight 1006. American Airlines told ABC News that passengers evacuated the plane through emergency slides, the overwing exit and some onto the jet bridge. A statement from Denver International Airport said 12 people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The plane was traveling from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Dallas, Texas, when it was diverted to Denver after the "crew reported engine vibrations," according to the Federal Aviation Authority. The plane diverted after about 20 minutes into the flight and was in the air for about an hour before it landed. In an earlier statement