Overview

• The Airbus A321 operating as Flight 1665 departed Las Vegas at 8:11 a.m. local time bound for Charlotte and landed safely back at Harry Reid International Airport at 8:20 a.m. after reporting an engine issue.
• Witnesses and social media videos showed smoke and brief flames erupting from the left engine, prompting the flight crew to declare an emergency and return immediately to the airport.
• The aircraft taxied under its own power to the gate where all 153 passengers and six crew members deplaned without injury.
• American Airlines maintenance teams conducted an initial inspection, reporting no evidence of fire in the engine and removing the plane from service for further evaluation.
• The Federal Aviation Administration has opened a formal investigation to determine the root cause of the engine malfunction and recommend any needed safety enhancements.