DENVER (AP) – Passengers aboard American Airlines Flight 3023 faced a chaotic emergency situation at Denver International Airport when they were forced to use an emergency slide due to a reported issue with the aircraft’s landing gear.

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon as the Boeing 737 MAX 8, carrying 173 passengers and six crew members, was preparing for takeoff to Miami International Airport. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft encountered a "possible landing gear incident," which was later determined to involve a tire issue, as confirmed by American Airlines based in Fort Worth, Texas.

Local media captured dramatic footage showing passengers fleeing down the inflatable emergency chute, many of them clutching luggage and small children. In the chaotic descent, several individuals, including at least one adult carrying a young child, stumbled at the end of the slide and fell onto the concrete runway. After exiting the plane, passengers were transported to the terminal via bus.

Medical services were on site following the incident, with one passenger requiring hospitalization for a minor injury. Meanwhile, five other individuals received evaluation for injuries but did not need to be admitted to the hospital, according to the officials at Denver International Airport.

Witness Shaun Williams, a passenger on the flight, reported feeling a "big bang and a pop" as the plane approached takeoff speed. Williams noted that the pilot reacted swiftly, initiating abort procedures and engaging the brakes to stop the aircraft safely.

Responding to the emergency, firefighters from the Denver Fire Department managed to extinguish a fire that had ignited on the aircraft. In its communiqué, American Airlines assured that all passengers and crew members disembarked safely, emphasizing that the aircraft would be taken out of service for a thorough inspection by its maintenance team.

The FAA has announced that it will conduct an investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause of the landing gear problem and the subsequent chaos that ensued during the evacuation.

This event highlights the importance of safety protocols in aviation and the need for constant vigilance regarding aircraft maintenance and readiness, especially given the potential risks involved in emergency situations.