An American Airlines plane made an emergency landing in Las Vegas on Wednesday after smoke and sparks were seen emanating from one of its engines. The incident, involving American Airlines Flight 1665, occurred shortly after departure from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), as the aircraft was en route to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the aircraft involved was an Airbus A321 and that it will conduct an investigation into the cause of the mechanical issue, which forced the plane to divert to Las Vegas.
The flight, which was carrying 153 passengers and six crew members, was reported by an eyewitness to have dark smoke trailing from its engines midair, with sparks also visible from the right engine. American Airlines issued a statement emphasizing that the crew acted professionally and that the aircraft taxi to the gate under its own power, allowing customers to deplane safely. The airline also assured passengers that efforts were underway to rebook customers and get them to their destinations as quickly as possible.
No injuries were reported in the incident, according to the airline. The aircraft is currently being taken out of service and will be evaluated by American Airlines’ maintenance team. A separate article mentioned a similar incident with a FedEx plane that also made an emergency landing after catching fire midair, highlighting the potential risks associated with aircraft malfunctions. However, the FAA expressed no immediate concerns about the safety of the aviation industry as a whole, stating that each incident is investigated independently.
Harry Reid International Airport, also known as McGarran International Airport, remains operational and continues to serve as a key hub for air travel in the southwestern United States. The incident has raised questions about the reliability of aircraft engines and the measures in place to prevent such mechanical failures. While no major financial effects are anticipated from the incident, the airline has issued a public apology for the disruption caused to its passengers.