Plane Disaster Averted in US: Landing Gear Catches Fire Before Takeoff with 179 Onboard

International News: A major air accident was narrowly avoided on Saturday at Denver International Airport in the United States. An American Airlines plane caught smoke and fire just before takeoff. Thankfully, all passengers were safely evacuated, and no serious injuries were reported.

The incident involved flight AA-3023, operated by a Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. The plane was scheduled to fly from Denver to Miami, with 179 people on board, including crew members. Before taking off, the pilot noticed a problem in the landing gear, and soon smoke and a small fire were seen coming from the aircraft’s tires.

Quick Response by Airport Authorities

As soon as the problem was reported, airport staff responded quickly. Passengers were safely removed from the plane, and firefighters reached the scene to bring the situation under control. The fire was completely put out by 5:10 PM, according to officials.

Authorities confirmed that only one person received minor injuries, while all other passengers were unharmed. They were taken to the terminal building by airport buses from the runway.

Video Shows Smoke and Panic

A video of the incident has also gone viral. It shows thick smoke rising near one of the plane’s wheels and passengers leaving the aircraft in panic. The scene on the runway was filled with smoke and confusion, but everyone was safely moved away in time.

FAA to Investigate the Incident

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has taken charge of the investigation. In its statement, the FAA said that the aircraft was supposed to take off at 2:45 PM local time, but a technical alert forced the flight to stop. The agency will now examine the actual cause of the landing gear problem.

American Airlines Issues Statement

American Airlines later said that the smoke came from a maintenance issue related to the tires. They added that their crew handled the emergency efficiently, ensuring passenger safety and preventing a larger disaster.

Though the incident was scary for those on board, the fast response from the airport team and airline staff helped avoid a serious accident. The FAA's investigation will reveal whether this was due to negligence or a mechanical issue.