An American Airlines flight bound for Phoenix narrowly avoided a serious incident when one of its tyres exploded just moments before takeoff from Tampa International Airport in Florida on Wednesday.
Video footage captured the dramatic moment as Flight 590 was taxiing on the runway before 8 am local time. Suddenly, the right-side tyre burst, emitting sparks and smoke into the air. Despite the explosion, the plane continued taxiing before coming to a stop at the end of the runway. Emergency vehicles promptly responded to the scene once the aircraft was halted.
Fortunately, the flight, carrying 174 passengers and six crew members, did not result in any injuries. All passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft and transferred to a replacement flight. The incident did not affect other flight operations at Tampa International Airport.
American Airlines spokesperson Alfredo Garduno confirmed that Flight 590 experienced a mechanical issue on the runway prior to takeoff. The airline expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to passengers, stating, "We never want to disrupt our customers' travel plans."
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the crew had reported multiple blown tyres. They confirmed that an investigation into the incident will be conducted to determine the cause of the tyre blowouts. The FAA reiterated that no injuries were reported, and passengers were safely deplaned and transported to the terminal via buses.
In their official statement, the FAA stated, "American Airlines Flight 590 aborted its takeoff from Tampa International Airport around 7:50 am local time on Wednesday, July 10, after the crew reported multiple blown tyres. Passengers were deplaned on the taxiway and bussed to the terminal. The FAA will investigate."
