Caught On Cam: Narrow Escape For American Airlines Flight After Tyre Burst During Takeoff

Video of the incident shows the airplane speeding up on the runway when the right rear tyre begins smoking and then collapses. The pilot, however, aborted take-off in time.

An American Airlines flight appeared to have a close brush this week as one of the landing-gear tyres burst and caught fire just as the aircraft gathered speed before take-off from Tampa, Florida. The pilot, however, slammed the brakes and aborted take-off, after which the passengers were deplaned safely. A video of the incident has gone viral.

The incident took place Wednesday morning. According to the Associated Press, Tampa International Airport spokesman C.J. Johnson said emergency responders were dispatched to American Airlines Flight 590, headed for Phoenix, Arizona, shortly before 8 am.

The video of the incident shows the airplane speeding up on the runway when the right rear tyre begins smoking and then collapses.

A plane spotter, Capt. Steven Markovich, is heard yelling in the background: "A blown tyre... Emergency! Emergency! Emergency! They’re on fire! There is going to be stuff all over the runway.” 

The plane eventually comes to a stop at the end of the runway, and emergency vehicles arrive minutes later.

There were a total of 174 passengers and six crew members on the flight who were subsequenly deplaned and bussed back to the plane and bussed to the terminal, American Airlines spokesman Alfredo Garduno told AP. No injuries were reported. The passengers were booked on other flights, with the airline issuing an apology for the inconvenience caused.

American Airlines Pilots Concerned By 'Spike In Safety Issues'

In April, the pilots union at American Airlines said there had been a “significant spike” in safety issues at the airline, such as fewer routine aircraft inspections and shorter test flights on planes returning after major maintenance work.

The union also said there had been incidents in which tools were left in wheel wells, and items left in the sterile area around planes parked at airport gates, AP reported.

Dennis Tajer, a pilot and spokesman for the union, said they had raised the issues with senior management, “and the management’s initial response to our request was encouraging". "We fully intend to do everything we can to assure that American maintains strong margins of safety,” he added.

The union has asked members to report any safety or maintenance problems.