Passengers flee as American Airlines plane catches fire on the runway in Denver: Video
An American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 (Flight AA-3023) bound for Miami was forced to abort takeoff at Denver International Airport on Saturday, July 26, after its landing gear caught fire, triggering an emergency evacuation.
Passengers were captured in a video using inflatable slides to escape as smoke rose from the aircraft before gathering on the tarmac and later moving to the airport lounge while ground staff retrieved luggage, Viory reports.
The Denver Fire Department confirmed that all 173 passengers and six crew members were safely evacuated and the fire was extinguished by 5:10 pm local time (11:10 pm GMT). Five individuals received on-site medical treatment, while one was transported for further care.
American Airlines reported that the aircraft had a maintenance issue involving one of its tires before takeoff and has since been removed from service for inspection. This is the second fire-related incident involving an American Airlines Boeing 737 at Denver Airport in five months, following an engine fire on a Dallas-bound flight in March 2025.
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