AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT ABORTS DIA TAKEOFF; 5 HURT

Five people were hurt Saturday when a mechanical problem and fire forced an Americans Airlines flight to abort takeoff at Denver Interational Airport, officials said. One person was transported to hospital.
Flight 3023 passengers slid down emergency chutes to evacuate the aircraft. The two-engine jet was bound for Miami carrying 173 passengers and six crew members, Fox 31 reported. The Denver Fire Department said crash crews "extinguished a fire after responding to the aircraft." The mechanical problem was blamed on a faulty aircraft tire. Passenger Shaun Wiliams told 9News: "About halfway to takeoff speed, we hear a big bang and a pop ... The pilot immediately started abort procedures for taking off. You could feel him start to hit the brakes." American Airlines said: “All customers and crew deplaned safely, and the aircraft was taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance team. We thank our team members for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for their experience.”