Boeing 737 Max catches fire prior to takeoff (VIDEO)
All 179 people on board were evacuated via emergency slides
An American Airlines flight carrying 179 people caught fire on the runway at Denver International Airport prior to takeoff, prompting an emergency evacuation.
The incident occurred Saturday evening when the Miami-bound Boeing 737 Max suffered a landing gear malfunction that led to a brake fire, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
One person was hospitalized with minor injuries, and five others were treated at the scene, airport officials said. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames, and the aircraft was taken out of service for inspection. A replacement plane was arranged.
Passengers described moments of panic after a loud bang was followed by smoke.
“The plane started vibrating and shaking really bad,” Shay Armistead told CNN. Another passenger said she saw “flames coming out from under the plane” before the evacuation began.
Video shared on X showed travelers using emergency slides to flee the aircraft as smoke billowed from the fuselage.
This is becoming routine for airline travel. This is American Airlines in Denver.
— Spitfire (@DogRightGirl) July 26, 2025
Rear wheels blew. pic.twitter.com/NJ7akXtNB9
The fire caused delays for more than 240 flights at Denver International, according to flight-tracking data. The FAA has said it is investigating the incident.
READ MORE: Boeing engine catches fire during takeoff (VIDEO)
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of Boeing’s 737 Max series. In January 2024, a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines Max 9 mid-flight, prompting the FAA to ground the model, impose production limits, and require stricter inspections - measures that remain in place.
Denver’s airport has seen other recent safety scares, including an engine fire on another American Airlines jet in March and a United Airlines plane that caught fire after hitting an animal in April.