An American Airlines flight made an emergency landing in Las Vegas after smoke and sparks came from one of its engines. The incident, involving Flight 1665, occurred shortly after takeoff from Harry Reid International Airport. The aircraft, an Airbus A321 headed to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, returned safely with 153 passengers and six crew members on board. There have been no reports of any injuries.
The eyewitnesses near the airport have caught this accident on video. One of the videos showed thick smoke trailing the aircraft, while another video, which was shot from a different angle, revealed visible sparks from the engine midair. These videos spread rapidly online and have drawn concern and speculation.
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Aircraft In Trouble
Witnesses described terrifying sights and sounds. Matthew Villasista, watching from the Las Vegas National Golf Club, said, “We could hear lots of booming noises, almost like a boombox. It sort of stopped us in our tracks.” Another witness, Mark Jackson, thought the sounds resembled “large fireworks.” He added, “When we looked up and saw what was happening, I was shocked and super sad thinking about how scared everyone on board must be. Those brave pilots are working under some heavy pressure. It just looked like it was dropping rapidly.”
Despite the fear-inducing scene, American Airlines confirmed the plane landed without incident and taxied to the gate under its power. Passengers deplaned normally. The aircraft is now undergoing inspection and maintenance.
American Airlines Responds
The airline acknowledged a “mechanical issue” but noted there was “no evidence of fire in the engine.” In a statement, the airline praised the crew, saying, “We appreciate the professionalism of our crew and thank our team, who are working to get our customers to their destinations as quickly as possible.”
The FAA confirmed the emergency landing occurred at 8:20 a.m. local time and identified the plane as an Airbus A321. The agency has opened an investigation. Harry Reid International Airport, previously known as McCarran International Airport, was not disrupted by the incident.
