CHICAGO --A plane burst into flames at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago Friday afternoon during takeoff.
The American Airlines plane was taking off from Chicago at 2:35 p.m. CT en route to Miami when it blew a tire and had to abort the takeoff.
Listen to the air traffic control audio from LiveATC.net here.
The 161 passengers and nine crew members on board were able to exit by sliding down a chute off the plane. They were then bused back to the terminal.
According to a statement from American Airlines, "Seven passengers and one flight attendant reported minor injuries and were transported to the hospital to be evaluated. We are taking care of our customers and crew and are re-accommodating our passengers on another flight to Miami this evening."
The blown tire caused a fire, and a huge column of smoke billowed above the plane.
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a tweet a runway was closed due to the disabled aircraft, and there was a ground stop for inbound flights.
The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate.
Stay with FOX 61 as the story develops.
