A Frontier Airlines flight sparked panic when it appeared to catch fire during landing at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on Saturday.
The dramatic incident was captured on cell phone footage, showing flames and smoke billowing from the aircraft’s undercarriage as it touched down on the runway.
Frontier flight 1326 from KSAN-KLAS just caught fire on landing at KLAS.
I caught it on video as it landed pic.twitter.com/KGt1Asx3rv
— Tyler (@TylerHerrick) October 5, 2024
Emergency response teams, including fire trucks and other rescue vehicles, rushed onto the scene as the smoke continued to surround the plane.
The airport’s spokesperson confirmed the details of the incident, stating, “Frontier flight 1326 experienced a hard landing.” The Clark County Fire Department responded immediately, ensuring the safety of all onboard. “All passengers and crew have been safely transported to the gated area. No injuries were reported,” the spokesperson added.
Flight 1326 had departed from San Diego at 1:51 p.m. Pacific Time and landed in Las Vegas at 3:37 p.m., according to FlightAware, a flight-tracking service. The aircraft was in its final moments of descent when the issue occurred.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but the incident began when the pilots detected smoke, prompting them to declare an emergency.
A representative for Frontier Airlines provided additional information, explaining, “The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew were evacuated via airstairs. No injuries were reported, and passengers have been bussed to the terminal.” The airline spokesperson emphasized that the cause of the smoke and fire is currently under investigation.
Passengers onboard described a tense atmosphere during the landing. While no one was harmed, the sudden appearance of smoke and flames understandably caused alarm among the passengers. Some reported feeling jolts as the plane made contact with the runway, followed by the sight of emergency vehicles speeding toward the aircraft.
The quick response from airport fire and rescue crews helped to control the situation rapidly. Firefighters were on the scene within minutes, ensuring that no further escalation occurred. Passengers were quickly ushered off the aircraft and bussed to the terminal, where they were able to collect their belongings and receive updates about the incident.
Hard landings, like the one experienced by Frontier Flight 1326, can sometimes cause mechanical issues or damage to the aircraft’s undercarriage.
While the specific cause of the fire has yet to be determined, similar incidents in the past have sometimes been linked to issues with landing gear, braking systems, or tires.
Frontier Airlines is working closely with investigators to determine the cause of the incident and ensure that similar events are avoided in the future.
Safety remains the airline’s top priority, and while such incidents are rare, they highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and swift action by flight crews and airport personnel.
Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas remained fully operational during the incident, with minimal disruption to other flights. The quick resolution ensured that the airport’s emergency protocols were successful in minimizing any risks to passengers and staff.
Though no one was injured, the incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel and the need for vigilance and rapid response. Passengers on future flights can be reassured that the aviation industry continuously improves safety measures to mitigate any potential risks.
As Frontier Airlines continues to investigate the exact cause of the fire, passengers and crew of Flight 1326 are undoubtedly thankful for the swift action that ensured everyone’s safe return to the ground.
