An Allegiant Air MD-83 aircraft (registration N893GA) caught fire on the ground at Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB) this morning. No one was hurt among the 144 passengers or five crew on board.
The right engine of the McDonnell Douglas jet burst into flames as the plane was being prepared for departure to Roanoke Regional Airport (ROA) in Virginia. Passengers and crew safely evacuated into the terminal through the jetway.
Images of the scene indicated that damage to the plane was not substantial.
According to FAA records, the aircraft involved is 20 years old, having flown for Aviaco in Spain and later Aeromexico until being delivered to Allegiant in 2007.