There was serious tension at Denver International Airport on Saturday afternoon, as passengers onboard an American Airlines flight faced what could have been a tragic disaster. 😰 A Boeing 737 MAX 8, scheduled to depart for Miami, suddenly caught fire just before takeoff right there on the tarmac!
According to reports from NBC affiliate 9News, air traffic control urgently alerted the pilot of the situation.
“Flight 3023, you got a lot of smoke… You are actually on fire,” came the chilling warning over the radio.
Eyewitness footage shared on Instagram shows thick flames engulfing the rear landing gear, while passengers hurriedly exited the aircraft using the emergency slide at the front. Omo! Na movie wey dem no plan to watch be this o!
Thankfully, all 173 passengers and the six crew members escaped safely. Only one person was rushed to the hospital with minor injuries, but considering the fiery scene, it could have been much worse. 🙏🏽
An official statement from American Airlines later revealed that the fire was caused by a mechanical issue with the aircraft’s tires as the plane tried to lift off around 2:45 p.m. local time. Imagine being seated, ready for your trip, and the next thing you dey jump emergency slide like say na action film!
“All customers and crew deplaned safely, and the aircraft was taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance team,” a spokesperson stated.
American Airlines further thanked their staff for their quick response and apologized to passengers for the shocking experience.
As Nigerians, this kind of news no dey leave person mind easily. We know say travel wahala fit happen anywhere, but the important thing be say God dey and proper safety response matters a lot. Whether na Abuja to Lagos or Denver to Miami, everyone deserves to feel secure when boarding a flight.
🚨 This incident reminds us how delicate air travel can be and the importance of having skilled professionals on ground and in the cockpit. Thank God for quick evacuation and that this didn’t end in tragedy.✈️🔥