by Donald Wood
Last updated: 2:00 PM ET, Thu July 11, 2024
An American Airlines pilot is being heralded as a hero after safely aborting a takeoff from Tampa International Airport on Wednesday following at least one tire exploding.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, American Flight 590 was about to take off for Phoenix with 174 passengers and six crew members on board when the video shows at least one of the plane’s tires exploding, shooting smoke and sparks into the air.
The pilot aborted the takeoff and slowed the Boeing 737-800 down before liftoff, instead turning the plane to Taxiway W, where first responders met it. Passengers and crew members exited the plane and were taken to Airside F.
No injuries were reported, and no other flight operations were impacted, according to a statement from American spokesperson Ethan Klapper.
“Customers safely deplaned and were bussed to the terminal,” Klapper said. “We never want to disrupt our customers’ travel plans and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident and said the takeoff was aborted after the crew on the 737 “reported multiple blown tires,” according to Collin Rugg on Twitter.
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