An American Airlines flight that was on its way to Charlotte was forced to make an emergency landing on Wednesday morning shortly after the start of Harry Reid International Airport, after the aircraft’s left engine released smoke and seemed to take a guy, according to eyewitnesses.
Flight 1665, an Airbus A321, carrying 153 passengers and six crew members, had departed Las Vegas at. 08:11 local time when the incident took place. The pilot immediately turned the plane around and landed safely back at the airport, according to New York Daily News.
“The aircraft that was taxed to the gate under its own power and customers usually planned,” American Airlines said in a statement. “We appreciate our crew’s professionalism and thank our team, who works to get our customers to their destinations as soon as possible.”
No damage was reported and the airline confirmed that the aircraft has been taken out of operation for further evaluation and repairs.
Eyewitnesses and passengers reported to see flames and hear unusual sounds. Patrick Chapin, a passenger on board, told local media that he heard a “boom” followed by a sustained rumbling. However, American Airlines stated that its mechanics found no evidence of an actual fire during an initial inspection.
The airport’s public information manager Luke Nimmo confirmed that the plane landed safely and taxed without help. Video recordings caught by local resident Annette Riding showed black smoke from behind from left engine moments after start, Queen City News reported.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched a study of the incident.
This emergency landing comes in the midst of a series of global aviation events in 2025, including a deadly Air India crash earlier this month and a tragic in the middle of the air in January involving an American Airlines jet and an army helicopter claiming 67 lives.
