Fire erupts on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max in Denver, all passengers evacuated

Panic unfolded at Denver International Airport on July 26 when passengers aboard an American Airlines flight were forced to make a swift emergency evacuation after a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft caught fire due to a landing gear malfunction.

Flight AA3023, bound for Miami, was moments away from takeoff when smoke and fire erupted near its landing gear around 2:45 p.m. local time. Video footage showed distressed passengers fleeing the plane using inflatable slides as thick smoke rose around the aircraft.

American Airlines later confirmed the aircraft experienced a maintenance issue involving the tyre. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classified it as a "possible landing gear incident" and has launched a formal investigation.

“All 173 passengers and six crew members deplaned safely,” American Airlines said in a statement. “The aircraft has been removed from service for inspection by our maintenance team.”

Emergency responders rushed to the scene. One person sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital, while five others were treated on-site, US media reported.

The incident is the latest in a string of safety concerns involving Boeing’s 737 MAX series — an aircraft model that has been under intense scrutiny following multiple mechanical failures and past crashes.

The FAA has yet to provide a timeline for the conclusion of its investigation. Meanwhile, aviation safety experts are calling for deeper reviews of the aircraft’s systems as concerns mount over recurring mechanical issues on US carriers.