United States

2016 Chicago Plane Fire Seen in Never-Before-Seen Control Tower Video

Video shows the plane hurtling down the runway as a puff of smoke belches out of the engine

Newly released video obtained by NBC Chicago shows just how close an American Airlines jetliner came to disaster when an engine exploded on takeoff last October.

The aircraft, bound for Miami, was on its takeoff roll October 28 when a fan disk in the right engine flew apart, severing a fuel line and igniting a roaring fire. Observers agree the result would likely have been a fiery crash if the flight had actually gotten airborne. Instead, the crew brought the plane to a screeching stop on the runway, evacuating all passengers safely.

At the time of the engine explosion, the aircraft was traveling at 128 knots, about 147 mph. The captain aborted the takeoff roll and brought the burning plane to a stop 26 seconds after the fan blade ruptured.

Video from two different views of the field shows the plane hurtling down the runway as a puff of smoke belches out of the engine. Then flames erupt as fuel begins gushing from the severed line.

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