LAS VEGAS— An American Airlines (AA) flight bound for Charlotte (CLT) was forced to return to Las Vegas (LAS) after smoke was observed emitting from one of its engines shortly after takeoff.
Flight 1665, operating an Airbus A321 and carrying 165 passengers, safely landed back at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) with no reported injuries.
Photo: Tim | FlickrAmerican A321 Emergency Landing
The incident occurred on Wednesday morning, shortly after American Airlines Flight 1665 departed from Las Vegas (LAS) at approximately 8:20 a.m. local time.
Bound for Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), the Airbus A321 developed a mechanical issue, prompting the flight crew to initiate a return to LAS.
Eyewitness footage recorded from nearby neighborhoods and the Las Vegas National Golf Course captured black smoke trailing from the aircraft’s right engine. One video clearly shows the plane banking left during descent, with smoke continuing to be emitted from the engine nacelle.
Airport spokesperson Luke Nimmo confirmed that the aircraft landed safely and taxied to the terminal under its own power. Passengers deplaned without incident.
Photo: FlightRadar24Airline Response and Passenger Safety
American Airlines (AA) released a statement confirming the mechanical issue and the safe return of Flight 1665.
“The aircraft taxied to the gate under its own power and customers deplaned normally,” said the airline, adding their appreciation for the crew’s professionalism and commitment to passenger safety.
No injuries were reported among the 165 passengers or crew on board. The airline has not disclosed specific details regarding the mechanical failure, and an investigation is expected to determine the root cause.
Aircraft Details and Flight Disruption
The 12-year-old Airbus A321, registered as N157UW, is a commonly used aircraft for domestic U.S. routes and is part of American Airlines’ narrow-body fleet.
Given the nature of the incident, it is likely the aircraft will undergo detailed inspection and maintenance before returning to service.
American Airlines is working on rebooking affected passengers to minimize travel disruption. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may conduct a review based on the incident’s nature, although no official FAA statement has yet been released.
Photo: American Airlines Airbus A321 -231 Taxiing on the south si… | Flickr | Creator: Bill AbbottSimilar Incident
American Airlines (AA) Flight 1722, departing from New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA), made an emergency landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) after suffering a bird strike on November 13, 2024.
The Charlotte-bound flight experienced an engine failure and fire shortly after takeoff due to bird ingestion, prompting the crew to divert and land safely at JFK
Flight AA1722, operated by American Airlines, had just departed LaGuardia Airport en route to Charlotte Douglas International Airport when it encountered a flock of birds moments after takeoff. The birds struck the aircraft’s engine, leading to a visible fire and immediate mechanical distress.
Passenger Crystal Groves Thomas, seated near the wing, recorded a video showing flames emerging from the engine shortly after the impact. The footage quickly circulated across social media, highlighting the severity of the incident and the calm yet swift actions of the flight crew.
The Airbus A321, with 190 passengers and six crew members onboard, declared an emergency and diverted to nearby John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The pilots conducted a textbook single-engine landing, with no injuries reported.
While bird strikes are not uncommon, especially near airports located near water bodies or open land, most do not result in significant damage. However, this incident is a stark reminder of the 2009 US Airways Flight 1549 incident—widely known as the “Miracle on the Hudson”—which similarly involved multiple bird strikes leading to a dual-engine failure.
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