Passengers were seen gathering on the wing as they evacuated. (Image: X)
Newly released audio reveals six chilling words uttered on an air traffic control recording before an American Airlines was forced to make an emergency landing on Thursday evening.
Air traffic control recordings released on Friday revealed the pilot of AA 1006’s interactions with staff on the ground before the plane touched down at around 5.15, followed by a dramatic evacuation after an engine caught fire.
Shortly before the flight came into land at Denver International Airport, in the US state of Denver, a pilot notified air traffic controllers that the was experiencing engine issues, according to audio collected by .
The controller was reportedly heard asking: “American 10,006, uh, 1006 just to verify not an emergency still, correct?”
The pilot responded: “Nah, we just have a high engine vibration so we are cruising slower than normal.”
:
American Airlines flight 4012 caught fire after an engine failed…. Plane was diverted to Denver.My mom was on this flight. THANK YOU GOD that they are alive.
— Alexandria Cullen (@AlexandriaCTV)
But several minutes later, the situation appeared to have quickly escalated after the plane was on the tarmac, when someone on the radio was heard yelling,“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday! Mayday! … engine fire!”, reports.
Pictures shared on social media showed passengers standing on the wing of the Boeing 737 before using inflatable slides to reach the ground safely. The flames were then put out by airport firefighters.
172 passengers and six crew members were onboard the flight. 12 passengers were taken to a hospital with minor injuries, airport officials said, as per .
A spokesperson for American Airlines has said that the aircraft had an “engine-related” issue as it made its way to the gate, which resulted in the fire at 6pm.
[REPORT]
????????????An American Airlines Boeing 737-800 with 178 people on board caught fire due to an engine fault, forcing it to divert to Denver. Flight 1006 was traveling from Colorado Springs to Dallas Fort Worth when the crew reported engine vibrations, according to the FAA.The aircraft…
— 凤凰欧洲 PhoenixCNE News (@PhoenixCNE_News)
The statement read: “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.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement: “American Airlines Flight 1006 diverted to and landed safely at Denver International Airport around 5:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, March 13, after the crew reported engine vibrations.
“After landing and while taxiing to the gate an engine caught fire and passengers evacuated the aircraft using the slides. The Boeing 737-800 departed Colorado Springs Airport and was headed to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
“The FAA will investigate. Please contact the airline for additional information,” the FAA added.
Boeing has been approached for comment via email.
The emergency landing follows a series of recent incidents in North America, including a fatal mid-air collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter in late January that left 67 people dead.