On November 26, 2023, an American Airlines Boeing 737-800, operating flight AA327 from Miami to El Salvador, made an emergency diversion to Belize City after smoke was reported in the rear of the cabin. The crew detected an unusual odor accompanied by light vibrations, prompting them to shut down the right engine before changing course to Belize. The aircraft landed safely, and although emergency services were on standby, they were ultimately not required.
Incident Details and Response
The flight departed Miami at approximately 10:35 local time and was scheduled to arrive in El Salvador at 12:20. According to Flightradar24 data, the aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 31,000 feet when the crew reported technical issues around 11:49. As the aircraft approached Belize City, located about 160 nautical miles from the last known position, the pilots took the precautionary measure of shutting down the right engine and descending to 29,000 feet.
Emergency teams, including fire, rescue, and ambulance units, were deployed to Philip Goldson International Airport as a precautionary measure. American Airlines confirmed that there were 177 passengers and crew onboard. Following the diversion, arrangements were made to continue their journey on another Boeing 737-800, registered as N876NN, which successfully arrived in El Salvador around 20:28 local time.
Authorities are currently investigating the incident, focusing on a potential engine malfunction. The affected aircraft, N951AA, remains grounded at the airport while thorough inspections take place.
A Look at the Aircraft’s History
The Boeing 737-800 involved in the incident is one of the oldest in American Airlines’ fleet, having been delivered in December 2000. As reported by ch-aviation, the airline operates around 303 Boeing 737-800s. N951AA has primarily served various short- and medium-haul routes from Miami, including destinations such as San Antonio, Punta Cana, Oranjestad, and Montego Bay.
Notably, this aircraft features the “Astrojet” retro livery, a tribute to one of American’s paint schemes from the mid-20th century. The airline maintains a collection of retro-painted aircraft that reflect its extensive merger history, which includes significant integrations with US Airways in 2013, as well as earlier mergers with AirCal, TWA, Reno Air, and PSA.
American Airlines is also preparing for its 100th anniversary in 2026, having recently introduced a new retro-style livery on a Boeing 777-300ER, registered N735AT. This aircraft entered service this month and showcases a modern interpretation of one of the airline’s earliest liveries, signaling a return to the iconic designs that once defined the airline’s identity.
As investigations continue, the aviation community remains vigilant about safety protocols, ensuring that incidents like this are thoroughly examined to maintain high standards of passenger safety.
