Watch: American Airlines plane with 174 passengers on board loses tyre moments before takeoff from Florida

A Phoenix-bound American Airlines flight narrowly escaped death after a tire burst while taxiing at Tampa International Airport. Sparks and smoke erupted as the plane came to a stop, but all 174 passengers and six crew members were safely evacuated. The incident was captured on video, led to an FAA investigation and the passenger was later rebooked on an alternative flight.

An American Airlines flight bound for Phoenix narrowly avoided crashing when one of its tires burst on the runway shortly before takeoff from Florida.
Shortly before 8 a.m. (local time), a video of the incident as Flight 590 taxied into Tampa International Airport went viral.

As can be seen in the video, the right tire suddenly exploded, sparks formed and left a trail of smoke in the air.

Despite the flat tire, the plane continued to roll until it came to a stop at the end of the runway. After the aircraft stopped, emergency vehicles were immediately dispatched to the scene of the accident.

Alfredo Gardono, a spokesman for American Airlines, said all 174 passengers and six crew members were uninjured and were safely removed from the plane and to the terminal. The airline arranged for the passengers to be rebooked on alternative flights and other flight operations at Florida Airport were not affected by the incident.

American Airlines issued a statement confirming that Flight 590 “conducted a runway test prior to takeoff with a mechanical issue.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the US aviation regulator, said the plane’s crew “reported multiple flat tires” and said it would investigate the incident. The agency confirmed that no injuries were reported and that passengers were safely disembarked and taken by bus to the terminal.

“American Airlines Flight 590 departed Tampa International Airport at approximately 7:50 a.m. local time on Wednesday, July 10, after a flight attendant reported several flat tires, then took a bus to the terminal,” statement.

He added: “The flight went to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The FAA will investigate this. Please contact the airline for further information.”