NTSB: American Airlines plane that caught fire at Denver Airport had incorrectly installed parts inside engine

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - The plane that caught fire at Denver International Airport (DIA) had incorrectly installed parts, according to a preliminary report released Thursday by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

NTSB said one part inside the right engine was loose and installed in the incorrect direction. Another part was incorrectly fastened, allowing fuel to leak from the fitting.

The airplane reportedly exhibited heat, smoke and burn indications near the right engine nacelle, right wing, right side of the fuselage aft of the wing, the right main landing gear and the right main landing gear wheel.

The right engine nacelle was intact. However, the report says there was dark streaking consistent with in-flight streamlines, and the aft and bottom of the nacelle were sooted and thermally distressed, consistent with a ground fire.

All the engine fan blades were present in the right engine, but one fan blade platform was fractured.

The American Airlines plane departed from Colorado Springs on March 13 and was headed to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport when the crew onboard reported engine vibrations.

According to the report, the captain told the passengers and the flight attendants that the flight was diverting to Denver. The plane landed safely, and it took about five minutes to taxi to the gate.

Soon after arriving at the gate, flight attendants heard passengers yelling “fire” and “smoke” and saw smoke start to fill the cabin.

Flight attendants reportedly tried calling the flight crew but did not get an answer. Another flight attendant knocked on the cockpit door to alert the flight crew of the fire outside and the smoke in the cabin.

The report states that passengers got up and came to the flight attendants, wanting to get off the airplane. The flight attendants conducted their assessments and initiated an evacuation.

There were 172 passengers on board and six crew members, they were taken to the terminal after evacuating the plane. Airport officials say 12 passengers were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

The exact cause of the fire has not been identified, and the investigation is ongoing.