DENVER — A plane caught fire after landing at Denver International Airport on Thursday, leading to an emergency evacuation in which twelve people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Airport officials confirmed that all hospitalized individuals sustained only minor injuries.
Flight 1006, en route from Colorado Springs Airport to Dallas Fort Worth, was diverted to Denver after the crew detected engine vibrations. The aircraft landed safely at around 5:15 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
While taxiing to the gate, one of the Boeing 737-800’s engines caught fire, the FAA reported. Passengers were seen evacuating onto the wing of the aircraft as smoke filled the air, according to images and videos from the scene. Emergency slides were deployed to assist in the evacuation.
The airline confirmed that the fire resulted from an engine-related issue after the aircraft had reached the gate but did not provide further details on when exactly the fire started.
A total of 172 passengers and six crew members were safely moved to the terminal. In a statement, the airline expressed appreciation for the quick response of the flight crew, airport personnel, and emergency teams in ensuring the safety of everyone on board.Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames later in the evening, airport officials said. The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident.
This occurrence adds to a series of recent aviation incidents that have sparked safety concerns, although air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation. Other recent events include an aircraft that overturned after landing in Toronto and a Japan Airlines plane that struck a parked aircraft while taxiing in Seattle.
