American Airlines plane engine catches fire on the ground in Denver

Washington: An American Airlines jet’s engine has caught fire after diverting to land in Denver, forcing the evacuation of passengers using the plane’s slides, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The airline said all 172 passengers and six crew members on board had been able to exit the plane, though six passengers were taken to a local hospital afterward for further evaluation.

American Airlines Flight 1006 from Colorado Springs on a Boeing 737-800 landed in Denver around 5.15pm (11am AEDT), diverting from its planned destination of Dallas after the crew reported engine vibrations, the FAA said.

Several dramatic videos of passengers standing on the wing of the plane before evacuating as smoke poured out the engine were posted on social media.

“After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport (DEN), American Airlines Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue,” the airline said in a statement.

“The 172 customers and six crew members deplaned and are being relocated to the terminal. We thank our crew members, (Denver) team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority,” the airline added.

The plane, which is 13 years old according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24, was equipped with two CFM56 engines manufactured by CFM International, a joint venture between GE and Safran.

The FAA said it would investigate the incident.

Boeing declined to comment, referring queries to American Airlines and investigators. GE did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

The engine fire is the latest in a series of high-profile aviation incidents that have raised questions about US aviation safety, including the January 29 midair collision of an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter that killed 67 people.

A Denver International Airport spokesperson said the fire had been extinguished and flight operations had continued as normal.

The carrier’s chief executive and other airline leaders this week said concern among the flying public over flight safety has hurt business in recent weeks.

Reuters