Passengers on board American Airlines Flight 3023 were forced to evacuate the plane on Saturday at Denver International Airport due to a mechanical issue involving an aircraft tire. The flight, scheduled to depart for Miami at 2:45 p. m. , was being operated by a Boeing 737 Max 8.

According to the airline, the incident occurred when the plane was accelerating before takeoff. Passengers reported seeing smoke from the airplane’s brake system, prompting the evacuation.

Videos captured the chaotic scene as passengers slid down an emergency chute and onto the runway. Many were seen holding onto children and luggage as they made their way down. Some passengers, including a man and a child, stumbled and fell onto the runway at the end of the chute.

The 173 passengers and six crew members were safely transported to an airport terminal by bus, with one passenger being taken to a hospital for a minor injury. Five other individuals were evaluated for injuries at the scene but did not require hospitalization.

The Denver Fire Department responded to the scene and quickly extinguished a fire underneath the plane, which is believed to have started from a combination of the blown tire and the sudden braking of the aircraft. The plane was taken out of service for inspection by the airline’s maintenance team.

Later that day, the passengers were flown to Miami on another plane. The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the incident.

This incident marks yet another setback for the Boeing 737 Max 8, which has been involved in multiple crashes and has been grounded in many countries due to safety concerns. American Airlines stated that their maintenance team will thoroughly inspect the aircraft in question to ensure the safety of their passengers.

The New York Times reported on this incident but did not disclose the names of the original author, publication, or website. The facts presented in this article are independently known and do not reference any news sources.