An American Airlines flight en route from Las Vegas to Charlotte, North Carolina, made an emergency landing on Wednesday morning after visible sparks and smoke were seen trailing one of its engines shortly after takeoff.
Flight 1665, operated by an Airbus A321, left Harry Reid International Airport at 8:11 am local time. Within minutes, the aircraft experienced a suspected engine issue. By 8:20 am, it had landed safely back at the airport, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed.
“It sounded like large fireworks”
Eyewitnesses on the ground were quick to react.
Matthew Villasista, who was at the Las Vegas National Golf Club at the time, said, “We could hear lots of booming noises, almost like a boombox. It sort of stopped us in our tracks to hear the noises.”
Mark Jackson, another observer, described a more emotional moment.
“When we looked up and saw what was really happening, I was shocked and super sad thinking about how scared everyone on board must be,” he told ABC News.
“Those brave pilots working under some heavy pressure. It just looked like it was dropping rapidly.”
Videos posted online showed a dramatic scene. A streak of smoke could be seen flowing from the aircraft’s right side, with flashes that many mistook for flames. One clip captured from the ground drew widespread attention, showing the aircraft seemingly trailing fire.
Airline plays down fire risk
Despite the visual alarm and public reaction, American Airlines said there was no evidence of an actual engine fire.
In a statement carried by CBS News, the airline said, “The aircraft taxied to the gate under its own power and customers deplaned normally. 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.”
A spokesperson for the airline also confirmed that the aircraft had 153 passengers and six crew members on board. After landing, the aircraft was immediately removed from service. An initial inspection by maintenance crews did not detect any fire-related damage.
According to an airport official, the smoke appeared to originate from the left engine.
FAA confirms investigation underway
The Federal Aviation Administration acknowledged the midair scare and confirmed it would carry out a full investigation.
“American Airlines Flight 1665 returned safely to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas around 8:20 a.m. local time on Wednesday, June 25, after the crew reported an engine issue. The Airbus A321 was headed to Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The FAA will investigate,” the agency said in a statement shared by Fox News and PEOPLE.
Harry Reid International Airport, formerly known as McCarran International, resumed normal operations shortly after the incident.
All passengers were safely deboarded and were being rebooked on alternative flights to their destination, according to the airline. While further technical checks are expected to continue, the carrier emphasised its confidence in the aircraft’s crew and safety procedures.
For now, the Airbus A321 remains grounded pending a deeper investigation by the FAA and the airline’s maintenance team.
Flight 1665, operated by an Airbus A321, left Harry Reid International Airport at 8:11 am local time. Within minutes, the aircraft experienced a suspected engine issue. By 8:20 am, it had landed safely back at the airport, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed.
JUST IN: American Airlines flight forced to return to Las Vegas after an engine apparently caught on fire midair.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 25, 2025
American Airlines Flight 1665 was in the air for about 10 minutes after taking off from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas for Charlotte, North Carolina.… pic.twitter.com/lkAeDWkJiw
“It sounded like large fireworks”
Eyewitnesses on the ground were quick to react.
Matthew Villasista, who was at the Las Vegas National Golf Club at the time, said, “We could hear lots of booming noises, almost like a boombox. It sort of stopped us in our tracks to hear the noises.”
Mark Jackson, another observer, described a more emotional moment.
“When we looked up and saw what was really happening, I was shocked and super sad thinking about how scared everyone on board must be,” he told ABC News.
“Those brave pilots working under some heavy pressure. It just looked like it was dropping rapidly.”
Videos posted online showed a dramatic scene. A streak of smoke could be seen flowing from the aircraft’s right side, with flashes that many mistook for flames. One clip captured from the ground drew widespread attention, showing the aircraft seemingly trailing fire.
Airline plays down fire risk
Despite the visual alarm and public reaction, American Airlines said there was no evidence of an actual engine fire.
In a statement carried by CBS News, the airline said, “The aircraft taxied to the gate under its own power and customers deplaned normally. 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.”
A spokesperson for the airline also confirmed that the aircraft had 153 passengers and six crew members on board. After landing, the aircraft was immediately removed from service. An initial inspection by maintenance crews did not detect any fire-related damage.
According to an airport official, the smoke appeared to originate from the left engine.
FAA confirms investigation underway
The Federal Aviation Administration acknowledged the midair scare and confirmed it would carry out a full investigation.
“American Airlines Flight 1665 returned safely to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas around 8:20 a.m. local time on Wednesday, June 25, after the crew reported an engine issue. The Airbus A321 was headed to Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The FAA will investigate,” the agency said in a statement shared by Fox News and PEOPLE.
Harry Reid International Airport, formerly known as McCarran International, resumed normal operations shortly after the incident.
All passengers were safely deboarded and were being rebooked on alternative flights to their destination, according to the airline. While further technical checks are expected to continue, the carrier emphasised its confidence in the aircraft’s crew and safety procedures.
For now, the Airbus A321 remains grounded pending a deeper investigation by the FAA and the airline’s maintenance team.
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