AN AMERICAN Airlines plane has burst into flames after it landed – with passengers forced to evacuate onto the wing of the jet in dramatic images.

The plane’s engine suddenly caught fire with smoke seen billowing across the airport after it diverted to land in Denver on Thursday.

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American Airlines Flight 1006 from Colorado Springs on a Boeing 737-800 landed in Denver around 5.15pm local time (11.15pm GMT), diverting from its planned destination of Dallas after the crew reported engine vibrations, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

Several dramatic videos of passengers standing on the wing of the plane before evacuating as smoke poured out the engine were posted on social media.

“After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport (DEN), American Airlines Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue,” the airline said in a statement.

“The 172 customers and six crew members deplaned and are being relocated to the terminal. We thank our crew members, (Denver) team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority,” the airline added.

The FAA said it would investigate the incident.

Boeing declined to comment, referring queries to American Airlines and investigators.

The engine fire is the latest in a series of high-profile aviation incidents that have raised questions about US aviation safety, including the January 29 mid-air collision of an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter that killed 67 people.

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