An American Airlines flight preparing to take off from Denver was suddenly overtaken by thick smoke and flames, prompting terrified passengers to leap down emergency slides as emergency crews rushed to the scene.

The incident unfolded Saturday afternoon when Flight 3023 was forced to abort takeoff at Denver International Airport due to a landing gear failure, triggering a fire that led to an emergency evacuation of all 179 people aboard, including six crew members, as the New York Post reports.

At approximately 2:45 p.m., American Airlines Flight 3023 was rolling down the runway, readying for departure to Miami, when something went wrong. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 suffered a failure in the landing gear area, reportedly involving the tire, as identified by the airline in a later statement.

Moments after the incident began, air traffic control communications captured the urgency of the situation. A controller can be heard alerting the flight crew: “Flight 3023, you got a lot of smoke.” Seconds later, they added, “You are actually on fire,” suggesting a worsening scene near the aircraft’s rear left side.

Flames became visible, and smoke began to billow from the aircraft, according to airport witnesses and onlookers. Video footage later shared across social media revealed thick black plumes trailing from the plane as passengers scrambled to evacuate. The sense of panic was palpable as travelers rushed to safety on inflatable slides deployed by the flight crew.

Heroic evacuation saves lives

The six crew members quickly initiated emergency protocols, guiding all 173 passengers down the emergency slides. The Denver Fire Department arrived on scene promptly and managed to extinguish the fire. They announced the flames were fully out by 5:10 p.m. local time.

While all passengers successfully evacuated, not everyone escaped without injuries. At least one individual was hospitalized, and six others were treated at the airport for minor injuries or evaluated as a precaution. The identities of those injured have not been released.

American Airlines commended its team for its swift response. “All customers and crew deplaned safely, and the aircraft was taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance team,” the airline said in a statement released hours after the incident. “We thank our team members for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for their experience.”

Investigation begins into component failure

Early assessments by airline staff suggest the cause of the fire was a tire malfunction related to the landing gear. The specific defect and whether previous maintenance records indicated potential issues are now part of the ongoing investigation.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 involved in the incident has been removed from service. Maintenance crews are tasked with examining the aircraft to ensure a thorough evaluation before any possible return to the fleet. No information has been released about prior mechanical issues with this particular jet.

Passengers from Flight 3023 were eventually rebooked on a different aircraft to complete their journey to Miami, though departure was delayed while American Airlines scrambled to accommodate everyone safely.

Distressing escape caught one camera

Footage captured by bystanders near the runway provided chilling visuals of the emergency. It shows travelers sliding down onto the tarmac, some stumbling and helping others as dark smoke clouded the background. The videos circulated widely online, drawing both concern and praise for the effective evacuation under pressure.

According to the audio logs shared by 9News, air traffic controllers monitored the fire’s progression, initially commenting that the smoke “looks like it’s dying down a bit,” before confirming the plane was actively burning. The messages between ground staff and the pilot underscore the chaotic energy that gripped the tarmac.

The FAA and NTSB have yet to offer public comments on whether they will launch independent investigations, though incidents involving fire during takeoff typically draw federal scrutiny under aviation safety standards.

Lessons to learn

1. Stay alert during emergency instructions: This event highlights the importance of listening to safety briefings before every flight. Knowing the location of emergency exits and how to use evacuation slides could make all the difference when seconds matter.

2. Keep calm but act fast: In any fire situation, quick action saves lives -- but panic can cause harm. While chaos is natural, following crew directions and staying aware of your surroundings gives you and others the best chance at a safe escape.

3. Understand that not all emergencies are predictable: Despite rigorous maintenance and safety procedures, sudden mechanical failures can still occur. No safety tip can substitute for professionalism like that shown by Flight 3023's crew -- but preparedness and cooperation help minimize risk.

Why this story matters

Stories like this matter because they remind us of the fragility of air travel safety, even with sophisticated technology and experienced professionals.

The successful evacuation demonstrates the high value of comprehensive safety training and emergency preparedness.

Our local and national aviation communities must continue learning from such incidents to improve safety for all travelers.