Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
Seven passengers and a flight attendant suffered minor injuries when an American Airlines flight bound for Miami caught fire on a runway at O’Hare International Airport as it was taking off Friday afternoon.
The pilot of Flight 383, a Boeing 767, aborted the takeoff as it rolled down runway 28R around 2:35 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The 161 passengers and nine crew members were evacuated down emergency chutes on the left side of the plane while the wing on the right side burned, according to the airline and video on the scene.
The FAA said the problem started with a blown tire, but American said the takeoff was aborted due to an engine-related mechanical issue.
A controller radioed the plane when it suddenly came to a stop, according to a recording of the radio traffic. “American 383 … stopping on the runway,” the controller said.
“Roger, roger, fire,” the pilot radioed.
“You see any smoke or fire?” the controller asked.
“Yea, fire off the right wing.”
“OK, send out the trucks.”
A few seconds later, the pilot contacts the tower again. “Chicago, American 383, we’re evacuating.”
“American 383, roger, trucks are on the way.”
As the plane caught fire, a large rounded piece of metal smashed through the roof of a UPS facility on the airport grounds and bounced off the floor, according to an airport worker.
Runways 10L-28R, 10C-28C and 15/33 were closed after the incident.
Passengers and crew leave the area where an American Airlines plane stopped when its right wing caught fire Friday afternoon at O’Hare Airport. (Photo courtesy Alan Lemery)
AMERICAN AIRLINES PLANE ENGINE CATCHES FIRE AT CHICAGO’S O’HARE AIRPORT
A plane caught fire at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago Friday afternoon.American Airlines said all the passengers were able to evacuate the plane. It’s not clear if anyone was injured.
A ground stop is in effect until O’Hare until the scene is cleared.
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American Airlines said the incident involved Flight 383 bound for Miami that was forced to abort its takeoff.An engine fire on the right wing of the Boeing 747 has been put out, officials said. Emergency inflatable slides were deployed.
This video shows the raging fire and smoke:
** WARNING: Video contains strong language and profanity American Airlines said all the passengers were able to evacuate the plane. It’s not clear if anyone was injured.A ground stop is in effect until O’Hare until the scene is cleared
Terrifying moments in Chicago after a plane caught fire and was forced to abort its takeoff from O’Hare International Airport
Five people were injured after an American Airlines plane caught fire and passengers evacuated on the runway at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago
PLANE CATCHES FIRE AT CHICAGO AIRPORT; 5 INJURED
Five people were reportedly injured after an American Airlines plane caught fire and passengers evacuated on the runway at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Friday.Federal Aviation Administration officials said Flight 383 was about to depart Chicago for Miami Friday afternoon when it blew a tire and damaged an engine. That’s when the pilot aborted takeoff and everyone evacuated the plane An engine fire on the right wing of the Boeing 767 plane has been put out, officials said.
Video shows American Airlines flight after it aborted takeoff at Chicago O’Hare; passengers safely evacuated, FAA tells @ABC News Emergency inflatable slides were deployed. American Airlines said all the passengers and crew members were able to evacuate the plane. The injuries were reported to be minor.
