American Airlines Flight Aborts Takeoff at Denver Airport, Passengers Evacuated After Fire

On Saturday afternoon, July 26, 2025, American Airlines Flight 3023, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 bound from Denver to Miami, experienced a critical landing gear failure during its takeoff roll at Denver International Airport. At approximately 2:45 p.m. local time, passengers and crew heard a loud boom, followed by visible smoke and flames searing from the left rear wheel assembly. Air traffic controllers warned, prompting an immediate abort of the takeoff.

In a swift response, all 173 passengers and six crew members evacuated via emergency slides before the aircraft came to a full stop. Footage captured dramatic scenes of passengers sliding from chutes, some clutching carry-ons and even infants, as thick black smoke billowed behind them. Emergency crews arrived within minutes, and the Denver Fire Department extinguished the fire swiftly.

While no fatalities occurred, six individuals were evaluated for minor injuries, with one passenger taken to the hospital. American Airlines confirmed the issue stemmed from a tire malfunction triggering a brake fire, and the aircraft was withdrawn from service pending inspection. A replacement plane was dispatched, and affected travelers continued to Miami later that night. 

The Federal Aviation Administration has launched a formal investigation into the mechanical failure and evacuation procedures. This incident follows a similar March emergency at the same airport, where another American Airlines Boeing 737‑800 suffered an engine fire after landing, though that case did not prompt an evacuation.

Airport operations were temporarily disrupted: Denver issued a ground stop from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., delaying nearly 90 incoming and outgoing flights. Operations resumed once authorities deemed the runway safe.

American Airlines praised the professionalism of its crew, apologized for the disruption, and reaffirmed its commitment to safety and maintenance standards.

A separate incident involving an American Airlines aircraft occurred at the same airport in March, when a plane experienced an engine-related issue shortly after takeoff and had to be diverted back to Denver International Airport as a precautionary measure.