Passengers evacuated a smoking aircraft at Denver International Airport using an emergency slide due to a suspected landing gear issue, officials reported.
The Federal Aviation Administration noted that American Airlines Flight 3023 experienced a “potential landing gear incident” shortly after departing from Denver on Saturday afternoon. According to a statement from the airline, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, the issue was related to a tire on the aircraft.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying 173 passengers and six crew members was on its way to Miami International Airport, American said.
Local media broadcasted footage of passengers descending the inflatable slide near the plane’s front, clutching their baggage and children. Some individuals, including an adult with a small child, stumbled off the chute onto the runway’s asphalt. Passengers were subsequently transported to the terminal via bus.
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Shay Armisteaz, a 17-year-old from Minturn, Colorado, described a chaotic scene.
After hearing a loud “boom,” the plane “started to violently shake and we were drifting to the left side of the runway,” Armisteaz told The Associated Press in an interview.
Armisteaz and her teammates on a ski racing team were on their way from Colorado to Chile when it happened.
“I started grabbing my friend’s hands, I was like ‘Oh my God,’ and then they slammed on the brakes, and we all like went forward and they finally brought the plane to a stop,” she said. “It was just terrifying.”
One of the passengers was taken to a hospital with a minor injury, American Airlines said in its statement. Five people were evaluated for injuries at the scene but did not require hospitalization, airport officials said.
“About halfway to takeoff speed, we hear a big bang and a pop,” passenger Shaun Williams told KUSA-TV. “The pilot immediately started abort procedures for taking off. You could feel him start to hit the brakes.”
Firefighters extinguished a fire on the aircraft, the Denver Fire Department said.
“All customers and crew deplaned safely, and the aircraft was taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance team,” American said.
In a statement, the FAA said it’s investigating.
Armisteaz said she’s thankful for everyone who helped her and the other passengers, and grateful that she’s safe.
“You’ve just got to appreciate what you’re given, and I’m so grateful that it wasn’t worse,” Armisteaz said.
