Passengers Flee Via Emergency Slides After Landing Gear Malfunction; Investigations Underway
Denver, US – July 27, 2025 – A major emergency unfolded at Denver International Airport on Saturday when passengers on board an American Airlines flight were forced into a dramatic evacuation just moments before takeoff. The incident, which involved a mechanical issue with the plane’s landing gear, saw smoke and fire erupt under the aircraft while it was still on the runway, as reported by Fox News.
The terrifying event occurred on American Airlines Flight 3023, which was scheduled to depart Denver for Miami. A viral video circulating online captured the chaotic scene: passengers could be seen rushing down emergency slides and sprinting to safety as flames and smoke billowed from beneath the plane.
Quick Response and Passenger Safety
Thankfully, emergency services were quick to respond. The Denver Fire Department confirmed they arrived on the scene and successfully extinguished the fire. All 173 passengers and six crew members on board the Boeing 737 Max 8 were safely removed from the aircraft, Fox News reported.
While the situation was undoubtedly frightening, most injuries were minor. Five people were evaluated for injuries on site, but none required hospitalization. However, one person was transported to a medical facility for a minor injury.
Airline and FAA Respond
American Airlines addressed the incident in a statement to Fox Business, saying, “American Airlines Flight 3023 experienced a mechanical issue on take-off roll at Denver International Airport (DEN). All customers and crew members deplaned safely, and the aircraft was taken out of service for inspection by our maintenance team. We thank our team members for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for their experience.” The airline confirmed that the issue was related to a tire and assured that affected passengers would be rebooked on a replacement flight to Miami later the same day.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also issued its own statement, confirming the incident. “American Airlines Flight 3023 reported a possible landing gear incident during departure from Denver International Airport around 2:45 p.m. local time Saturday, July 26. Passengers evacuated on the runway and are being transported to the terminal by bus,” the FAA stated, as per Fox News.
Airport Delays and Recent Aviation Incidents
Due to the emergency, Denver Airport implemented a ground stop for incoming flights between 2 PM and 3 PM, causing delays for approximately 90 flights, according to FlightAware data cited by Fox News.
This incident at Denver comes just a day after another alarming aviation event: a Southwest Airlines flight from California to Las Vegas had to execute a sudden nosedive to avoid a potential mid-air collision, which sent passengers hitting the ceiling of the aircraft, Fox News also reported.
The FAA has launched a full investigation into the Denver incident, seeking to determine the exact cause of the mechanical failure.