American Airlines passengers witnessed a terrifying engine fire aboard Flight 1665 from Las Vegas to Charlotte, forcing the plane to return for an emergency landing just minutes after takeoff.
Key Takeaways
- An American Airlines Airbus A321 returned to Las Vegas after its engine began shooting sparks and smoke shortly after takeoff on June 25, 2025
- All 153 passengers and 6 crew members landed safely with no injuries reported
- The plane managed to taxi to the gate under its own power despite the engine malfunction
- Multiple witnesses captured the dramatic engine fire on video, showing flames and dark smoke trailing the aircraft
- A recovery flight was scheduled to depart Las Vegas for Charlotte the following day
Engine Fire Forces Midair Emergency
An American Airlines flight carrying 153 passengers and 6 crew members was forced to execute an emergency landing Wednesday morning after one of its engines caught fire shortly after takeoff. Flight 1665, an Airbus A321 bound for Charlotte, North Carolina, departed from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas at 8:11 a.m. local time on June 25, 2025. Within minutes of becoming airborne, the aircraft’s engine began emitting sparks and billowing dark smoke, creating a frightening scenario for those on board and alarming witnesses on the ground who spotted the malfunction.
The flight crew immediately implemented emergency protocols upon detecting the engine issue, swiftly turning the aircraft around and requesting priority landing clearance. Despite the potentially catastrophic situation, the pilots maintained control of the aircraft and safely guided it back to Harry Reid International Airport. The plane touched down at approximately 8:20 a.m., just nine minutes after its initial departure, demonstrating the crew’s professional response to the high-pressure situation.
An American Airlines plane made an emergency landing in Las Vegas on Wednesday after smoke and sparks were seen spewing from one of its engines.
— CGTN America (@cgtnamerica) June 25, 2025
Safe Return Despite Dramatic Circumstances
After landing, the aircraft was able to taxi to the gate under its own power, allowing passengers to disembark normally despite the engine malfunction. “The flight departed LAS and returned, landing safely and there were no reported injuries,” confirmed an LAS spokesperson. The smooth return to the terminal was a remarkable outcome considering the dramatic scenes captured on video showing flames and smoke trailing from the engine during flight. American Airlines maintenance personnel later conducted a thorough assessment of the aircraft, which was immediately taken out of service.
“The aircraft taxied to the gate under its own power and customers deplaned normally,” stated American Airlines. “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.”
Luke Nimmo, a public information officer with the airport, provided additional details about the incident: “The plane, which was bound for Charlotte, North Carolina, was carrying 165 passengers. It landed safely at the airport by 8:20 a.m. and taxied to the terminal under its own power.” The discrepancy in passenger counts between reports (153 vs. 165) hasn’t been clarified by the airline, though all sources confirm no injuries occurred.
🛩🛬✈️#BREAKING 🚨 EMERGENCY LANDING: American Airlines Flight Sparks & Smokes Over Las Vegas
Flight 1665 from Las Vegas to North Carolina was forced to turn back after the left engine began sparking and billowing smoke just after takeoff.
The plane landed safely at Harry Reid… pic.twitter.com/MuY8eNxnIJ
— Kristy Tallman (@KristyTallman) June 25, 2025
Investigation and Passenger Accommodations
Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration was promptly notified, with FAA officials confirming that “the engine on Flight 1665 began smoking just moments after taking off from Harry Reid International Airport Wednesday morning.” While initial assessments revealed no evidence of an actual fire within the engine’s internal components, the visible flames and smoke indicated a serious mechanical malfunction that required immediate attention. Aviation experts suggest the sparks may have resulted from unburnt fuel igniting outside the engine rather than an internal combustion issue.
American Airlines arranged alternative transportation for the affected passengers, scheduling a recovery flight to depart from Las Vegas to Charlotte on June 26 at 1:00 p.m. This incident highlights the critical importance of proper aircraft maintenance and the value of rigorous emergency training for flight crews. The successful emergency landing with no injuries represents a testament to the airline industry’s safety protocols and the professionalism of the flight crew who prevented what could have been a much more serious incident.
