An incident involving an American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX at Denver International Airport (DEN) led to the evacuation of all passengers and crew after the aircraft’s landing gear collapsed and caught fire. On Saturday afternoon, Flight 3023, scheduled to fly from Denver to Miami International Airport (MIA), aborted its takeoff due to a mechanical issue related to a tire. Fortunately, all 173 passengers and six crew members evacuated safely.
Eyewitness footage captured the dramatic moments as passengers exited the aircraft via inflatable slides, with smoke billowing from the rear. Emergency services were on the scene quickly, and reports indicate that five individuals received treatment for minor injuries, while one person was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
American Airlines confirmed that the aircraft “experienced a mechanical issue” during its takeoff roll and has since been removed from service pending thorough inspections. According to data from Flightradar24, the plane reached a speed of 127 knots before the incident occurred.
Details of the Incident
Passengers described a scene of urgency as they evacuated. One individual, Mark Tsurkis, recounted hearing a “loud boom” and witnessing one of the wheels roll past the aircraft. As smoke became visible, panic ensued among some passengers. The crew managed to ensure a swift evacuation, but footage from the runway indicated that many passengers retrieved cabin baggage during the emergency. This behavior can complicate evacuations, as it risks blocking aisles and delaying the exit.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has acknowledged the incident, labeling it a “possible landing gear incident,” and will conduct an investigation to ascertain the specifics of the mechanical failure.
Emergency Response and Aftermath
Emergency responders promptly extinguished a minor fire attributed to the combination of blown tires and the aircraft’s deceleration. The Denver Fire Department played a crucial role in quickly managing the situation, ensuring no serious injuries resulted from the incident.
Following the evacuation, passengers were transported back to the terminal by bus, while American Airlines arranged for a replacement aircraft to continue their journey to Miami. The affected Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered as N306SW, is a relatively new aircraft, having been delivered to American Airlines in December 2021. This specific airframe has accumulated nearly 12,000 flight hours and over 4,000 flight cycles.
American Airlines has stated that the 737 MAX will remain out of service for inspections by its maintenance team before any further flights. The incident raises important safety considerations, particularly regarding passenger protocols during emergency evacuations, which are designed to facilitate swift exits in critical situations.
As the investigation unfolds, the airline and aviation authorities will seek to determine the underlying causes of the mechanical issue that led to the incident, aiming to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
