LAS VEGAS — June 26, 2025 — A terrifying scene unfolded in the skies over Nevada on Wednesday when an American Airlines jet was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff from Las Vegas due to an engine fire.
The flight, identified as American Airlines Flight 1182, had just departed Harry Reid International Airport en route to Charlotte, North Carolina, when flames were seen shooting from one of the aircraft’s engines. The incident occurred just minutes after takeoff, prompting the pilot to immediately request an emergency return to the airport.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the fire originated in the right engine of the Airbus A321 aircraft. Several passengers aboard the flight reported hearing a loud bang followed by visible flames and smoke from the engine.
“I looked out the window and saw fire pouring out of the wing,” said Michelle Grant, a passenger seated near the rear of the plane. “People started panicking. The crew did a great job keeping everyone calm, but it was really scary.”
Emergency response crews were on standby at the airport and met the aircraft upon landing. The plane touched down safely and came to a halt on the runway, where firefighters quickly extinguished what remained of the engine fire.
No injuries were reported among the 173 passengers and 6 crew members aboard the flight. All passengers were evacuated safely and transported back to the terminal.
American Airlines released a statement confirming the incident and expressing gratitude for the professionalism of the flight crew and the swift response of emergency services. “Our flight crew followed all procedures and safely returned to the airport. We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience and are working to accommodate them on alternate flights.”
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are both investigating the cause of the engine fire. While mechanical failure is suspected, a full inspection of the aircraft and its maintenance records is underway.
This is the second high-profile engine-related emergency for a U.S. carrier in recent months, reigniting concerns about aircraft engine reliability and maintenance protocols.
