- A TikTok video shows flames and black smoke pouring out of the wing of an American Airlines plane.
- The plane was waiting to takeoff from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in North Carolina.
Passengers onboard an American Airlines flight from North Carolina to Texas on Thursday were treated to what many would consider their worst nightmare, after witnessing smoke and flames billowing out of the wing of their plane as it was preparing to take off.
The plane, Flight 2288 from Charlotte Douglas International Airport to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, was quickly turned around, with the decision made to head back to the gate before it had even left the runway.
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A video shared on TikTok by user @cuhhlayre captured the moment flames and clouds of black smoke started to appear from inside the wing.
In the video, a member of the cabin crew can be heard trying to reassure passengers over the plane's loudspeaker, saying: "Ladies and gentlemen, just be calm. Obviously, something has happened."
In a statement sent to Insider, the airline said that the plane returned to the gate using its own power following reports of a "mechanical issue." It added that the plane is now out of service for maintenance.
It did not disclose the cause of the fire.
According to Frankie Leggington, a passenger on the flight who spoke to the ABC News affiliate KCRG, the flames became visible shortly after passengers felt a "little bump" and heard an explosion.
Leggington said that everyone on the flight started to panic, with passengers causing a commotion in the plane's aisles, according to KCRG.
"Nobody knows what's happening, so it's the first instinct is the plane is going to blow," Leggington told the local news outlet. "So, everyone is grabbing their bags, trying to run up and run in the aisle," she said.
No injuries were reported.
According to KCRG, passengers onboard were told to remain on the plane until first responders were able to put out the flames.