An American Airlines aircraft experienced a dramatic incident on Wednesday morning when a tire blew out during takeoff, resulting in a fire and an aborted departure. The incident occurred at Tampa International Airport as Flight 590 was heading to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Arizona.
Mechanical Issue Leads to Emergency
The American Airlines Boeing 737-800 was accelerating down the runway when a mechanical issue caused one of its tires to burst into flames. The incident was captured on video by Captain Steven Markovich, who filmed the aircraft taxiing with smoke and flames engulfing its right tire. In the footage, he can be heard exclaiming, “Emergency, emergency, they’re on fire!”
Swift Response Ensures Safety
Several airport fire engines quickly responded to the emergency, dousing the flames with water just before 8 am local time. Despite the dramatic scene, the airline confirmed that none of the 174 passengers and six crew members onboard were injured during the incident.
A passenger, Heather Caballero, described the harrowing experience: “We were halfway down the runway and getting up to speed when we heard a loud bang and felt a shudder and braked hard. There wasn’t much runway left when we finally stopped, fully loaded and four hours of fuel. From row 30, we could see flames.”
Airline and FAA Response
American Airlines issued a statement acknowledging the mechanical issue, explaining that it involved some of the aircraft’s tires. The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and assured that customers were safely deplaned and transported back to the terminal. Passengers were later scheduled on a replacement flight to continue their journey to Arizona.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident to determine the exact cause of the tire blowout and subsequent fire.
Commitment to Safety
A spokesperson for American Airlines emphasized the company’s commitment to passenger safety: “American Airlines flight 590 with service from Tampa (TPA) to Phoenix (PHX) experienced a mechanical issue on the runway prior to taking off. Customers safely deplaned and were bussed to the terminal. We never want to disrupt our customers’ travel plans and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.”
This incident highlights the importance of rigorous safety protocols and swift emergency response in ensuring the safety of airline passengers and crew.
