Denver, July 26, 2025 — American Airlines Flight AA3023, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 bound for Miami, was forced to abort takeoff at Denver International Airport on July 26, 2025, after visible flames and heavy smoke appeared near the left main landing gear tire. All 173 passengers and 6 crew members evacuated safely via emergency slides, though six people sustained minor injuries and one was hospitalized. The exact source of the fire has not been officially confirmed, and investigations by American Airlines and aviation authorities are ongoing.
But even as emergency teams acted swiftly and a disaster was averted, what unfolded on the runway tells a troubling story.
Footage from the scene shows multiple passengers evacuating with carry-on bags in hand, including roller suitcases, backpacks, and in one widely shared video, a man carrying a child and a suitcase simultaneously. He is seen stumbling and falling with the child at the bottom of the slide, in an incident widely criticized as “reckless” and “dangerous.”
The video was originally posted by Instagram user @highlymigratoryfishing, who captured the dramatic evacuation as smoke poured from the aircraft.
The Dangerous Reflex That Won’t Die
Despite years of public awareness campaigns, passengers retrieving bags during evacuations remains a persistent and dangerous behavior. Aviation authorities and cabin crews globally emphasize one simple instruction in emergencies:
Leave everything behind.
Yet, in one clip from Denver, nearly every adult is seen exiting with at least one personal item. The problem isn’t new. From British Airways Flight 2276 in Las Vegas to Emirates EK521 in Dubai, post-incident reviews have repeatedly flagged bags as a barrier to fast, safe evacuation.
Regulatory agencies like the FAA and EASA have long advised passengers to leave all belongings behind during an evacuation. Luggage can slow escape, damage emergency slides, and injure others. In the past, delays of mere seconds have meant the difference between life and death.
Despite repeated warnings and onboard safety briefings, the trend persists: a worrying sign of misplaced priorities in high-stakes situations.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, and further details about the cause of the malfunction and full timeline of the events are expected in the coming days.
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