DENVER — At least one person was transported to the hospital after a Miami-bound American Airlines flight aborted takeoff from Denver International Airport Saturday.
American Airlines Flight 3023 reported a possible landing gear incident during departure from a DIA runway around 2:45 p.m., according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration.
The FAA stated that all 173 passengers on board the Boeing 737 MAX 8 evacuated onto the runway and were transported to the terminal by bus.
Firefighters extinguished a fire on the aircraft, the Denver Fire Department said.
Denver airport officials were mum on specifics but said five people were evaluated on scene for minor injuries, and one was transported to the hospital after they arrived at the gate.
American Airlines said in a statement that the aircraft “experienced a maintenance issue” with a tire on the landing gear just before taking off.
Video of the evacuation, shared with Denver7, appears to show flames and smoke coming from a tire as passengers slide down an emergency slide.
Some passengers, including at least one adult carrying a young child, tripped at the end of the slide and fell onto the concrete runway.
“All customers and crew deplaned safely, and the aircraft was taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance team,” an AA statement read.
Mark Tsurkis, a passenger on flight 3023, told Denver7 that he heard a loud "boom" moments before takeoff.
"I would say about 10 seconds before the plane was supposed to get airborne, we hear the loud 'boom,'" Tsurkis said. "Some people started panicking and stuff, but I kinda kept calm."
The FAA is investigating the incident, which also prompted a short-lived ground stop at the airport.
Denver7's Jaclyn Allen contributed to this report
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