AA1006 - Engine Fire After Emergency Landing

American Airlines flight 1006 departed Colorado Springs Airport (COS) on 13 March 2025 en route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The Boeing 737-800 was carrying 172 passengers and six crew members. Shortly after takeoff, the flight crew reported engine vibrations and elected to divert to nearby Denver International Airport (DEN) for a precautionary landing. The aircraft landed safely at Denver at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time. However, while taxiing to the gate following the landing, passengers and ground personnel observed smoke and flames emanating from one of the CFM56 engines. Passengers reported smelling "a weird burning plastic smell" immediately after landing, followed by screams as people noticed the fire. The flight crew initiated an emergency evacuation, with 172 passengers and six crew members evacuating the aircraft using emergency slides and ladders. Some passengers escaped onto the left wing as smoke and flames engulfed the right engine. Twelve people were transported to area hospitals with minor injuries sustained during the evacuation; the remaining 166 occupants were uninjured. Denver Fire Department personnel responded to the scene and extinguished the engine fire. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched investigations into the cause of the engine vibrations and subsequent fire. The incident caused significant disruption at Denver International Airport while emergency crews secured the aircraft.