Published on: October 5, 2024, 09:12h.
Last updated on: October 5, 2024, 09:17h.
A Frontier Airlines aircraft caught fire during its landing at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on Saturday afternoon.
Visuals of smoke and flames were observed as the plane landed around 3:37 p.m.
Passengers and crew were safely evacuated upon landing, with no injuries reported, as per various news sources.
Described as ‘Hard Landing’
An airport representative characterized the incident as a “hard landing,” with fire and smoke visible beneath the aircraft, according to MSN.
Evacuation of passengers from the plane was carried out using airstairs. Subsequently, they were transferred to a terminal building via bus.
Firefighters swiftly responded to the runway to extinguish the fire.
“The pilots detected smoke and declared an emergency,” stated a spokesperson from Frontier Airlines to CBS News.
Frontier flight 1326 experienced a hard landing,” a spokesperson from Harry Reid confirmed to CBS News. “The Clark County Fire Department responded immediately and all passengers and crew have been safely transported to the gate area. No injuries were reported.”
The aircraft involved was identified as Frontier Flight 1326, which had taken off from San Diego International Airport at 1:51 p.m.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, with investigations ongoing as of late Saturday.
Specifics regarding the extent of damage to the plane were not immediately available, nor was an estimate provided for repairs.
Recent Emergency Preparedness Drill
The actual emergency occurred just a few weeks after an emergency preparedness drill was conducted at the airport to ready for such circumstances.
In September, airport officials collaborated with various emergency responders in Clark County to conduct the drill.
The simulated disaster scenario included smoke, sirens, role-playing victims, and emergency vehicles. Participation from firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and airport personnel was observed.
“The exercise enables participants to practice their responses and skills collectively, within a training environment,” as stated by the airport authority.
While airport staff and LAS firefighters regularly train for aircraft incidents, other agencies do not. Emergency responders unfamiliar with airport operations gain hands-on experience, enhancing their abilities to perform in stressful and unfamiliar situations,” the statement noted.
Harry Reid Airport is mandated by the FAA to conduct the emergency drill once every three years, known as a triennial exercise.