American Airlines Denver saw dramatic scenes on Saturday, July 26, 2025, when passengers were forced to evacuate a flight after a landing gear issue sparked smoke and fire on the runway. The Boeing 737 MAX 8, operating as Flight 3023, was scheduled for Miami but never took off as the emergency unfolded.
According to officials, the incident occurred around 2:45p.m. as the aircraft accelerated for takeoff. The pilots halted the attempt when they noticed a problem, and video from the scene captured passengers using emergency slides to exit the plane while smoke billowed from the rear wheels. Denver Airport’s fire and rescue crews quickly responded, extinguishing the flames and assisting in the evacuation.
On board were 173 passengers and 6 crew members. Every individual was safely evacuated. Medical staff evaluated five people for minor injuries, and one person was transported to the hospital. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the cause was a tire malfunction, and American Airlines swiftly took the plane out of service for inspection.
Key developments from the day:
- Flight 3023 aborted takeoff due to landing gear fire.
- All 179 on board evacuated on the runway.
- Five treated for minor injuries, one person sent to hospital.
- Emergency slides deployed, and airport crews acted fast.
Denver International Airport briefly imposed a ground stop, but operations soon resumed. Passengers were rebooked on another flight to complete their journey to Miami.
This American Airlines Denver event underlines the efficiency of crew response and airport emergency services, ensuring safety despite intense and distressing conditions. If you were at the airport or had family involved, feel free to share your experience or thoughts below—your voices matter in the ongoing conversation.