B737 Diverted Due to ‘Engine Vibrations,’ Caught Fire While Taxiing

On March 13, an American Airlines Boeing 737-800 decided to divert and land in Denver, Colorado due to ‘engine vibrations’. While this was likely an annoying delay at the time, passengers should be grateful that the engine fire that ensued shortly after didn’t happen in the air.

American Airlines Flight 1006 took off from Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS) at 4:52 pm with 172 passengers and six crew members aboard. It was scheduled to make a roughly two-hour trip down to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), but plans quickly changed when the crew reported ‘engine vibrations.'

The flight crew told controllers that, though their situation was not an emergency, they needed to divert as a precaution. Around 20 minutes into the flight, the B737 turned back north towards Denver International Airport (DEN) and continued cruising at a slower-than-normal speed.

The jet touched down in Denver at approximately 5:55 pm and began taxiing to gate C38. A few minutes later, pilots were heard yelling over the radio that there was an engine fire. Passengers were rushed out onto the wing and off the evacuation slide as ground crews worked to extinguish the flames.

The Denver Fire Department reported that twelve passengers were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Luckily, they have all since been released and no other injuries were reported. The troubled 737 remains grounded in Denver for inspection and repairs.

“We thank our crew members, DEN team, and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority,” read an American Airlines statement. The carrier also rushed a replacement aircraft and crew to Denver for passengers.

The FAA and NTSB are aware of the incident and are sending two investigators out who specialize in airliners and engines.

FMI: www.aa.com