‘I could see flames through the windows’: Passengers describe fire on McCarran flight

By Daniel Rothberg, Jackie Valley

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015 | 7:25 p.m.

As British Airways Flight 2276 was hurtling down the runway at McCarran International Airport today on its way to London's Gatwick Airport, passenger Roy Dunk heard what he thought was a tire blowing out.

What happened in the next several minutes was chaos, but it could have been far worse.

Dunk, of Las Vegas, said that after he heard the tire noise, the pilot slammed on the brakes and brought the plane to a quick stop. Out of the left windows, passengers could see smoke and fire pouring from the wing.

Dunk and his traveling companions began surging toward the exits, where the plane's inflatable escape slides had deployed. Some passengers were screaming and panicking.

"As soon as I walked into the aisle way, I got pushed," said Dunk, who along with his wife, Leanne, and their friend Jo Ann Johannessen, were on their way to London to visit Johannessen's son.

But Dunk got out unscathed, as did the vast majority of the 157 passengers and 13 crewmembers, despite a blaze that sent up a huge plume of black smoke. As passengers filed out of Terminal 3 onto shuttle buses after the incident, they credited the flight crew and emergency responders for handling the incident quickly, calmly and effectively, preventing a potential tragedy.

"I'm so glad it happened on the ground," said Leanne Dunk.

Authorities said 14 passengers were treated for minor injuries, most of which were sustained in getting off of the planes down the emergency slides. Hours later, as passengers filed out of McCarran onto waiting shuttle buses, they described a horrifying scene.

"It was frightening,” said Philip Fields, who was sitting by the engine. “I could see the flames through the window.”

“I’m glad to be alive,” passenger Jeremie Pantin said.

But many said it wouldn't stop them from traveling by air.

Karen Bravo, who is from Las Vegas, said the incident was handled well by all who were involved, from the British Airways crew to the fire department. She said she is not afraid to fly in the future and plans to fly again on British Airways.

“This could be a training film,” she said.

The Dunks said they planned to board the next flight to London and enjoy the rest of their vacation. But for tonight, at least, they will be sleeping at home.

"It was a freak accident," Roy Dunk said.

Editor's note: The number of injured passengers was updated by authorities after this story was published. Officials said 27 people were injured.