A major aviation incident was narrowly averted on Saturday afternoon when American Airlines Flight AA3023, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 bound for Miami, experienced a landing gear malfunction that triggered a fire on the runway at Denver International Airport.
The aircraft, carrying 173 passengers and six crew members, was preparing for takeoff from Runway 34L when a tyre on the main landing gear overheated, causing smoke and flames to erupt near the rear of the plane. The crew immediately aborted takeoff and initiated an emergency evacuation using inflatable slides.
Emergency responders from the Denver Fire Department arrived within minutes to contain the blaze. All passengers and crew were safely evacuated, with one individual transported to a hospital for minor injuries and five others treated on-site.
Operations at Denver International were temporarily halted, resulting in 87 flight delays, but resumed shortly after the aircraft was removed and the fire extinguished.
American Airlines confirmed the aircraft has been removed from service pending a full technical inspection. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident, citing a “possible landing gear issue”.
“We commend our crew for their swift and professional response, which ensured the safety of everyone on board,” said an American Airlines spokesperson. “We apologize to our customers for the disruption and are working to rebook affected passengers.”