Passengers on an American Airways flight that burst into flames in Colorado on Thursday described chaos because the cabin full of smoke and the home windows began to soften — and stated they’re “grateful” to be alive.
The Texas-bound Boeing 737-800 was diverted to Denver shortly after taking off from Colorado Springs as a result of the crew reported engine vibrations. After it landed, it started taxiing, and an engine caught fireplace, in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration.
“[The plane] landed, every little thing was high quality, however then there was smoke filling the cabin,” stated Michele Woods, who was on her approach dwelling from a commerce present, to CBS Information Texas.
She stated folks had been screaming and pushing when the aircraft landed and known as the ordeal “actually scary.”
Woods, who was seated on the entrance of the aircraft and will hear the “loud noise” being brought on by the engine, was in a position to stroll off, however different passengers had been pressured to evacuate onto a wing and use inflatable slides to exit.
Movies shared to social media confirmed the terrifying scene, together with black smoke billowing from the aircraft.
Ingrid Hibbit, who was touring together with her household to a marriage in Argentina and planning to catch a connecting flight in Dallas, stated the touchdown was “abrupt.”
She stated she may see the blaze from her window, which began to soften.
“Getting off the aircraft was a problem. … [It] didn’t go easily,” she instructed CBS, including that she is “grateful to be right here.”
Twelve folks suffered minor accidents and had been taken to hospitals, airport officers stated.
Flight 1006, which had 172 passengers and 6 crew members aboard, skilled an “engine-related concern” after taxiing to the gate, American Airways stated, however additional particulars weren’t instantly offered.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the Nationwide Transportation Security Board are investigating.
With Put up wires