Passengers were forced to evacuate an American Airlines flight at Denver International Airport on Saturday as fire and smoke billowed up from under their aircraft after an aborted takeoff.
American Airlines Flight 3023 was set to depart Denver for Miami on Saturday afternoon, but the aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, encountered a “mechanical issue” as it accelerated, the airline said in a statement. The pilots canceled the takeoff and brought the airplane to a stop, and crew and passengers exited using an emergency chute.
A video recorded at the scene and shared by NBC News showed passengers sliding down the chute to the runway, some with small children and luggage in hand. One person could be seen stumbling and falling to the ground as they tried to climb off the chute.
The video shows what appears to be a piece of the MAX’s landing gear on fire.
WATCH: People evacuate American Airlines plane at Denver International Airport (DEN) after left main wheels caught fire. Everyone accounted for. pic.twitter.com/CeGL24PRvf
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) July 26, 2025
The New York Times reported Sunday that the aircraft’s brake system was the source of the flames and smoke.
American said all 173 passengers and six crew members evacuated the airplane safely. One of the passengers was taken to a hospital for a minor injury. Five others were checked for injuries at the scene but did not require hospitalization.
The Denver Fire Department extinguished the fire under the aircraft. American said the airplane has been taken out of service and will be inspected by its maintenance team.
The FAA released a short statement on the incident and said it is investigating.
