On April 20, 2023, the Airbus A321, registration N980NY, was scheduled to fly from Charlotte to Dallas-DFW as AA2288. But that didn't happen because a fire broke out during the preparations for take-off.

The medium-haul jet operated by American Airlines caused a stir shortly after leaving the gate position, because the left engine failed while taxiing onto the runway. A passenger recorded the crash with his cellphone camera. Flames first erupted from the left drive and a few moments later spread to other parts of the Airbus A321.

The moment when numerous passengers notice that the fire is escaping the plane's wings is also captured on video. They react in a real panic. The airport fire brigade quickly rushed to the scene of the incident and intervened. The passengers and crew were able to disembark the American Airlines Airbus A321 unharmed.

It was later discovered that the flames had erupted due to an unspecified mechanical problem. “The aircraft taxied safely under its own power to the gate and was taken out of service for maintenance. We never want to disrupt our customers' travel plans and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused," American Airlines said in a statement. The FAA has ordered an investigation into the incident.