An American Airlines flight heading to Charlotte made an emergency landing shortly after takeoff from Harry Reid International Airport on Wednesday morning. The Airbus A321, carrying 153 passengers and six crew members, emitted smoke from its left engine just minutes after departure.
Flight 1665 took off at 8:11 a.m. local time from Las Vegas when smoke and flames were spotted coming from the engine. The pilot quickly turned the plane around and safely landed back at the airport. The aircraft taxied to the gate on its own power, and passengers deplaned normally, the airline said.
Passengers described hearing unusual noises and seeing smoke trailing from the engine. One passenger, Patrick Chapin, told local media he heard a “boom” followed by continuous rumbling. Despite these reports, American Airlines said initial checks found no evidence of an actual fire on the engine.
Airport officials confirmed the plane landed safely without needing assistance. Local resident Annette Riding recorded a video showing black smoke coming from the left engine shortly after takeoff. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the cause of the incident.
No injuries were reported, and the airline stated that the aircraft has been taken out of service for further inspection and repairs. American Airlines thanked the crew for their professionalism and assured efforts are underway to get passengers to their destinations quickly.
This incident adds to a series of aviation safety concerns in 2025, including a recent deadly Air India crash and a tragic mid-air collision in January involving an American Airlines plane and an Army helicopter, which resulted in 67 fatalities.