Incident
On Saturday, December 20, 2008 at approximately 18:18 (06:18PM) local time, after being cleared for takeoff on runway 34R at Denver International Airport, the Boeing 737-524 aircraft veered off the side of the runway before taxiway WC (less than 4,000 feet (1,200 m) from the threshold), skidded across the taxiway and a service road and crashed in a 40-foot-deep (12 m) ravine several hundred yards from the runway. The plane caught fire at some point during the sequence.
Despite early confusion as to the whereabouts of Flight 1404, firefighters were on scene relatively quickly, as the aircraft came to rest near one of the airport's four fire houses. When they arrived, most of the right side of the plane was on fire while passengers were climbing out of the left side, being assisted by flight attendants and one off-duty Continental Airlines pilot in the passenger compartment, the latter making several trips in and out of the wreckage to ensure everyone was safely out of the aircraft.
The aircraft sustained severe damage. The fuselage was cracked just behind the wings, the number 1 engine and main landing gear were sheared off, and the nose gear collapsed. The fire caused overhead luggage compartments to melt onto seats.
The crash is noted as the most serious incident in DIA's history. The aircraft was subsequently written off.
Read more about this topic: Continental Airlines Flight 1404
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