The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has reported that a fire broke out in the right engine of an American Airlines Boeing 737-800 after landing at Denver International Airport on March 13, 2025.
The incident occurred shortly after Flight 1006, which had departed from Colorado Springs en route to Dallas Fort Worth, diverted to Denver due to high engine vibrations.
According to the NTSB’s preliminary report released on June 18, the fire began after the aircraft taxied to the gate and both engines were shut down.
Twelve passengers were transported to hospital with minor injuries following an emergency evacuation.
The agency said ramp workers extinguished the fire within one minute, prior to the arrival of airport firefighting personnel.
Video footage captured by airport operations showed fluid leaking from under the right engine as the plane approached the gate.
According to the NTSB, a fuel fitting on the variable stator vane actuator in the No. 2 engine was incorrectly secured and installed in the wrong direction, allowing fuel to leak.
Another part of the actuator assembly was fastened improperly, and a key seal drain line was obstructed with sealant.
Images included in the NTSB report showed dark streaks on the engine exterior, consistent with fuel leakage during flight.
Former NTSB and FAA investigator Jeff Guzzetti reviewed the findings and said: “To me, it looks like improper maintenance in the right engine leading to a fuel leak.”
He added: “Those streaks were probably made while the plane was flying. After it landed, the fuel likely pooled inside the engine and caught fire.”
The NTSB has not yet confirmed the cause of the fire and stated that the investigation is ongoing and likely to conclude next year.
After the aircraft reached the gate, flight attendants reported hearing passengers shout “fire” and “smoke.”
According to the NTSB, smoke began to fill the cabin, prompting crew to attempt contact with the flight deck.
When they received no response, flight attendants knocked on the cockpit door and initiated the evacuation.
Passengers exited using the L1 jet bridge, the R2 slide, and both left over-wing exits.
Twelve passengers sustained minor injuries during the evacuation.
The L2 slide failed to deploy and was later found inside the aircraft with its safety pin still inserted.
The NTSB stated that the slide was jammed in the door and had a torn section of girt fabric, preventing operation.
Passengers who evacuated via the overwing exits were assisted by ground vehicles and equipment available at the gate area.
The slide was shipped to the manufacturer for detailed analysis, and its maintenance log will be reviewed as part of the ongoing inquiry.
The NTSB recovered both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder.
The data recorder included 54 hours of flight parameters, and the voice recorder captured one hour of audio starting during climbout.
Multiple organizations are supporting the investigation, including the Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing, GE Aerospace, and American Airlines.
France’s Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses (BEA) is participating as the accredited representative, with support from Safran Aircraft Engines and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
American Airlines said in a statement: “The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority, and we are cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board in its investigation.”
A fire broke out in the right engine of an American Airlines plane after landing in Denver.
The plane had diverted due to high engine vibrations.
Fuel was seen leaking from the engine nacelle as it taxied to the gate.
Twelve passengers were hospitalized with minor injuries after evacuation.
The NTSB found several engine components were improperly installed.
Fuel leaked from a misaligned variable stator vane actuator fitting.
A seal drain line was also blocked by sealant.
The L2 evacuation slide malfunctioned and did not deploy.
Passengers evacuated using the jet bridge, R2 slide, and overwing exits.
Flight data and cockpit voice recorders were recovered.
The NTSB is leading the investigation with support from multiple parties.
The investigation is ongoing and a final report is expected next year.
American Airlines is cooperating with the NTSB.
