The incident involved 172 passengers, with many experiencing smoke-filled cabins and desperate escapes onto the airplane's wing.
**Passengers Recount Harrowing Escape from Burning American Airlines Flight**
**Passengers Recount Harrowing Escape from Burning American Airlines Flight**
Passengers share vivid accounts of the terrifying moments following a forced emergency landing in Denver.
On a recent American Airlines flight bound for Dallas, passengers faced a terrifying ordeal when their airplane had to make an emergency landing in Denver due to engine troubles. Witnesses described the experience as "nerve-wracking," recalling the moment when large plumes of smoke began to fill the cabin.
Michele Woods, one of the passengers, initially thought the flight was routine, but reported hearing loud noises from the engine as they flew. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the plane diverted to Denver around 5:15 PM local time due to reported "engine vibrations."
Once on the ground, the situation escalated when smoke filled the cabin. Woods, seated at the front, quickly made her way out of the aircraft. However, other passengers faced a more daunting exit as they had to navigate onto the wing, where images of them balancing on its edge amid the smoke have now gone viral.
Ingrid Hibbit, traveling with her husband and daughter, recounted her panic as flames appeared outside her window and familiar comforts turned nightmarish. Dressed in sandals, she struggled to maintain her balance during the hasty evacuation. Communication with her family was limited to text messages, raising her anxiety as she waited to see if everyone was safe.
Despite the chaos, Hibbit expressed relief once they regrouped. After the emergency episode, which she described as a "very long 10 minutes," the family eventually arrived at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. "I'm grateful that everyone survived," she reflected, pondering how different the outcome might have been if the incident had occurred mid-flight.
Michele Woods, one of the passengers, initially thought the flight was routine, but reported hearing loud noises from the engine as they flew. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the plane diverted to Denver around 5:15 PM local time due to reported "engine vibrations."
Once on the ground, the situation escalated when smoke filled the cabin. Woods, seated at the front, quickly made her way out of the aircraft. However, other passengers faced a more daunting exit as they had to navigate onto the wing, where images of them balancing on its edge amid the smoke have now gone viral.
Ingrid Hibbit, traveling with her husband and daughter, recounted her panic as flames appeared outside her window and familiar comforts turned nightmarish. Dressed in sandals, she struggled to maintain her balance during the hasty evacuation. Communication with her family was limited to text messages, raising her anxiety as she waited to see if everyone was safe.
Despite the chaos, Hibbit expressed relief once they regrouped. After the emergency episode, which she described as a "very long 10 minutes," the family eventually arrived at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. "I'm grateful that everyone survived," she reflected, pondering how different the outcome might have been if the incident had occurred mid-flight.
