The Boeing Co. 737-800 plane had diverted to Denver after reporting engine vibrations and landed safely at 5:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.
While taxiing to the gate, an engine caught fire and passengers were evacuated using the aircraft’s slides, the FAA said. An investigation is underway, it added.
In a separate statement, American Airlines said the 172 passengers and six crew all got off the aircraft and are being relocated to the terminal.
Nine people suffered “minor injuries” and were transported by paramedics to hospitals in Aurora, Colorado, a spokesperson for Denver Health said.
Flight 1006 was enroute to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport from Colorado Springs Airport.
The fire adds to a series of recent headline-grabbing aviation incidents, including the January 29 mid-air collision of an American Airlines regional jet with a military helicopter that killed 67 people near Washington, DC.
The carrier’s CEO and other airline leaders this week said concern among the flying public over flight safety has hurt business in recent weeks.
