An American Airlines jet experienced an engine fire after diverting to Denver, prompting the evacuation of 172 passengers and six crew members using emergency slides.

Witness Aaron Clark described seeing a flash of fire and smoke after the plane landed, noting that the fire was quickly extinguished by ground crews.

The rapid response of airport emergency teams during this incident underscores the importance of preparedness in aviation.

Ten passengers were taken to the University of Colorado Hospital for treatment, although updates on their conditions were not immediately available.

This incident adds to a series of recent aviation-related concerns, but it also highlights that flying remains a generally safe mode of transport.

Despite the chaos lasting only about 10 minutes, passenger Hibbit expressed that it felt much longer as she communicated with her family through text messages during the evacuation.

Experts emphasize that during emergencies, it is critical for passengers to heed flight attendant instructions and leave personal items behind, as possessions can be replaced but lives cannot.

American Airlines, airport authorities, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have been contacted for further information regarding the incident.

A replacement aircraft was provided to transport the passengers to Dallas Fort Worth, arriving early on March 15, 2025.

This remains a developing story with potential updates to follow as investigations into the incident continue.

The incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. local time while the plane was taxiing to the gate after landing, highlighting the importance of emergency preparedness.

In contrast, a previous incident involving a Japan Airlines jetliner had all 379 passengers survive partly because they abandoned their luggage during evacuation.