American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX evacuated after landing gear collapse at Denver

American Airlines confirmed in a statement, "American Airlines flight 3023 experienced a mechanical issue on take off roll at Denver International Airport (DEN). All customers and crew deplaned safely, and the aircraft was taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance team."

Emergency services quickly extinguished what American described as a "minor isolated brake fire." A passenger named Mark Tsurkis told ABC News he heard a "loud boom" before witnessing one of the wheels pass by as the plane stopped. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating what they termed "a possible landing gear incident."

Footage from the runway revealed several passengers carrying cabin baggage during evacuation, contrary to safety protocols which discourage retrieving items due to potential delays in exiting.

The involved aircraft is a three-year-old Boeing 737 MAX 8 delivered to American Airlines in December 2021. It has logged nearly 12,000 flight hours over more than 4,000 cycles. Passengers were accommodated on another aircraft while this plane undergoes inspection.