'Terrifying and exhausting' - passengers describe escape from burning plane
That is how one witness described her experience getting off an American Airlines flight that caught fire after it was forced to make an emergency landing in Colorado.
Some of the 172 passengers travelling on the flight bound for Dallas were seen standing on the plane's wing after it touched down in Denver, with large plumes of smoke encircling around them.
Everyone on board, including six crew members, made it out of the plane alive, with 12 passengers treated at hospital for minor injuries, according to airport officials.
One of those passengers, Michele Woods, told CBS News, the BBC's US partner, how everything about the flight seemed normal at take off.
It was not until they were cruising in the air that she noticed a loud noise reverberating from one of the plane's engines.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later confirmed the plane diverted to Denver at around 17:15 local time (23:15 GMT) after the crew reported "engine vibrations".
But even when the plane landed, passengers soon realised they were still far from safety.
"Everything was fine but then there was smoke filling the cabin," said Ms Woods, who was returning home after attending a trade show in Colorado.
Seated at the front of the plane, she explained how she was one of the few in a position where they were able to walk off the plane once it had touched down.
Other passengers, as now viral images of huddled people standing on the wing of a smoking plane show, did not have as straightforward an escape.
Ingrid Hibbit, who was travelling on flight 1006 with her husband and daughter, was one of the unfortunate few forced out onto the wing before she could reconnect with her family on the ground.
"[You could see] flames from the window and the windows [were] kind of melting," Ms Hibbit told CBS. Dismounting from the plane proved to be a difficult task - not helped, she pointed out, by being dressed in Birkenstock sandals.
"I was like shaking, I was not stable," she admitted.
Adding to her already fever-pitch anxieties was the fact neither she, nor any member of her family, were seated in the same section of the plane. They could communicate only through text messages.
"I was hoping everything was okay, but we really didn't know for sure," she said, adding that despite the ordeal lasting only 10 minutes, "it was a very long 10 minutes".
"It was a really great feeling to see that everyone was okay."
She and her family finally touched down at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on Friday morning, along with several of the other passengers.
Relief, she said, had swept through the group, particularly after an "exhausting" episode that had overshadowed the start of their family holiday.
"If this would've happened in the air, I don't think we would be telling this story at all, because who knows what that would've been like," she said. "I'm grateful that everyone survived."
Passengers evacuate on to wing of burning American Airlines jet
Hundreds fired at aviation safety agency, union says
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
This British seaside town is in the middle of a cool revival. Here's why
When amateur photographer George Woods and his family moved down to Hastings in the 1880s, they joined a legion of Victorians migrating south from the smoggy capital in search of pure, restorative sea air. Displayed in the Fishermen's Museum along the seafront, his black and white images document an era when this coastal town was thriving – women wearing flamboyant bustles shade from the sun with frilly parasols, and salty sea dogs fix fishing nets while puffing on clay pipes dangling from their lips. Even more fascinating – for me – is the fact Woods lived in my house. Six months ago, I left London for a place where properties are still relatively affordable. Initially driven by economics, I quickly discovered the benefits of waking up to sea views and listening to gulls squealing from rooftops. An even greater find, though, was the spirit of entrepreneurial optimism that's been disappearing from London for some time. Like so many Victorian seaside resorts, Hastings and neighbouring St Leonards-on-Sea fell into decline during the seventies and eighties. Buildings were abandoned and facades crumbled. But artists, writers and creatives have a habit of breathing new life into decaying spaces – and that's exactly what's happened here. St Leonards has led the way, with bars and restaurants trailing along the Kings Road which runs from the mainline station, where trains take an hour and 20 minutes from London Bridge. A playful vibe continues along the seafront with cool cafes like the colourful Goat Ledge serving coffees, croissants and craft beers to dog walkers, joggers and locals watching waves crash along the pebbly shore. Following suit, main town Hastings is slowly reinventing itself. Located along the pier, which was renovated and reopened in 2016 following a devastating fire, the Samphire Sauna serves anyone keen to embrace hot/cold therapy with a dip in the English Sea. A few metres away, boards can be heard cracking against concrete in The Source skatepark. Head down to the courtyard where the local Brewing Brothers Brewery serve their beers on tap. Look up to dig deep into the roots of this town's evolution. Reached by a near-vertical climb are the ruins of Hastings Castle, built by William the Conqueror in 1066. The stone fortification – and several other local landmarks – feature in the Bayeux Tapestry, the famous fabric narrative of the Norman conquest of England. This autumn, the masterpiece will be loaned to the British Museum until July 2027 as part of celebrations heralding 1000 years of the belligerent Norman king's birth. What a shame it won't be displayed here. More history was made a short stroll away on West Hill, where Scot John Logie Baird conducted early experiments for the mechanical television. Pathways and tunnels once used by smugglers now trail into the Old Town, a cluster of lanes filled with cute cafes, vintage stores and rummage shops. One thing I love most about my new home is the sea view from my study. But visitors to the area can go one step better by staying further west along the coast. A 15-minute train ride from Hastings, the Relais Cooden Beach spills out directly onto the sea. From bedrooms, the restaurant terrace or even the pool table, it's possible to sit for hours staring at the sparkling water. A couple of minutes' walk from the station, the mock Tudor building – which was once a family home – has been brought up to date with jolly deck chair stripes and an Aromatherapy Associates spa. After a glass of local Kent wine, strolls along the beach are almost mandatory – walking past private homes where firepits flicker to gaze up at clear skies exploding with stars. Here are a few more fine places putting Hastings on the map… Bayte It's a skill to create a space where you can hear yourself think but still be surrounded by people. This knockout convivial neighbourhood restaurant fills up fast on a Saturday night – but there's none of that London queuing around the block nonsense needed to sit down and savour a good meal. A compact but varied menu makes choices easy – classics like steak and sea bass are cooked with flair in an open kitchen, served alongside locally grown vegetables and leaves from the chef's garden in Lewes. A selection of focaccia sandwiches is a gourmet lunchtime treat. Visit Boatyard The accolade of 'best fish and chips' is a hotly contested title in Hastings. Hands down, the winner is a palate-pleasing plate served at one of the region's most exciting restaurants. A cider batter gives a meaty hunk of plaice a sweet flavour and crisp crunch. It's the definition of other-worldly and a firm favourite on a chalk board menu presenting inventive new dishes with every turn of the tide. Chefs make use of as many local ingredients as possible, but draw inspiration from their travels. Other delights include gurnard with local shellfish, Pernod butter and sauteed baby gem lettuce, and Sussex green beans sprinkled with almonds, anchovies and sherry vinegar. Visit Find the restaurant in Heist, a marketplace of independent outlets close to the seafront in St Leonards. A sister venture – the Farmyard – can be found closer to the station, serving organic meats, Sunday roasts and – very soon – some natural wines from the owners' microwinery. Visit Half Man! Half Burger! When Rory Myers and his business partner Matt Woodhouse set up shop along the seafront a decade ago, the area was close to being a cultural and culinary wasteland. So much has changed over the years, partly sparked by their pioneering efforts. There's no messing about with the menu here – it's all about burgers and they're damn good. Go for a classic Big Cheese or blow the tastebuds with a Chilli Nelson – a patty slathered with slow-cooked beef chili, pink onions and chipotle mayo. Afterwards, pop next-door to Rory's low-fi Ritual bar for cocktails and local craft beers. A former Londoner who spent a stint in Brighton, he firmly believes it's the influx of creatives and a vibrant spirit that makes St Leonards and Hastings so special. Both venues can be found along the front of Marine Court, an iconic art deco block built to mimic an ocean liner. Visit How to plan your tripDoubles at the Relais Cooden Beach start from £170 per night with breakfast.
Wall Street Journal
12 hours ago
- Wall Street Journal
I Tried Out Three Luxury Airport Lounges. Here's How They Stack Up.
PHILADELPHIA—The latest weapon in the battle to woo big-spending fliers is a gooey gut bomb. Cheesesteaks, those signature Philly sandwiches, are on the menu at two swank new lounges at Philadelphia International Airport. In one night last week, I ordered cheesesteak sliders with grilled onions, provolone and red peppers in the beer garden at the Chase Sapphire Lounge and a rib-eye cheesesteak with provolone and pickled hots at American Airlines' Flagship business-class lounge.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Two planes forced to return to Boston Logan airport hours apart after midair issues
Two planes were forced to return to Boston Logan International Airport just hours apart on Sunday night after separately experiencing issues midair. The flights that returned to the airport included Delta flight 464 and American Airlines flight 2616, according to NBC10 Boston. Delta told the station that its flight was set to fly to Salt Lake City, Utah, when there was an alert regarding one of the plane's doors. The plane returned to Logan, where it was inspected by maintenance and cleared to continue. The airline said in a statement that the plane eventually landed safely in Salt Lake City. "We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travel,' Delta told the station. American Airlines told NBC10 Boston that its flight bound for Philadelphia returned to Boston just after takeoff because of a maintenance issue. The airline didn't state what the issue was, but said that the plane landed safely and taxied to the gate under its own steam, and there were no injuries reported. The plane has since been taken out of service for inspection by the airline's maintenance team, American confirmed. They added that passengers would be accommodated after the disruption. "We never want to disrupt our customers' travel plans and apologize for the inconvenience," the airline said in a statement to NBC10 Boston.
