A dramatic video has emerged showing the moment an American Airlines plane blew a tire during takeoff at Tampa International Airport in Florida. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday morning, involved a Boeing 737-800 that was headed from Tampa to Phoenix.
A smoke-filled video captured the tense moments as an American Airlines plane blew a tire during takeoff at Tampa International Airport in Florida on Wednesday morning.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and American Airlines confirmed to Fox News Digital that the incident happened while the Boeing 737-800 was headed from Tampa International Airport to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Arizona around 7:50 a.m. ET.
American Airlines Plane Tire Catches Fire During Takeoff
The airline said that there were 174 passengers and six crew members on board.
Footage from the incident, which was captured by plane spotter Capt. Steven Markovich, showed the American Airlines plane taxiing on the runway with its right tire smoking and on fire. The runway appeared to show the plane's tires sparking as tire fragments were left on the runway.
American Airlines Plane Tire Catches Fire During Takeoff
"A blown tire," Markovich yelled in the video. "Emergency! Emergency! Emergency! They're on fire!"
"There is going to be stuff all over the runway," he added. "Holy crap, I think they're on fire!"
American Airlines Plane Tire Catches Fire During Takeoff
American Airlines said that following the tire incident, customers were safely deplaned and bussed back to the terminal.
"We never want to disrupt our customers' travel plans and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused," a spokesperson said.
The airline said that the aircraft suffered from a mechanical issue and the FAA is investigating the incident.
The Texas-based airline said that no one was injured during the incident.
The FAA said in a statement to Fox News Digital that it is "aware of the incident and is investigating."
This incident comes just days after two planes came dangerously close to colliding near New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. The FAA is also investigating that incident.
The close call between the two planes at JFK Airport has raised concerns about the safety of the nation's airspace. The FAA has said that it is taking steps to improve safety, including increasing the use of technology to prevent midair collisions.
