An American Airlines flight experienced a significant diversion on November 26, 2023, when a Boeing 737-800, operating as flight AA327 from Miami to El Salvador, was forced to land in Belize City due to smoke reported in the cabin. The crew detected unusual odors and vibrations before shutting down one of the engines and diverting to Belize City, as confirmed by The Aviation Herald.
The aircraft, registered as N951AA, departed Miami at approximately 10:35 local time and was scheduled to reach El Salvador by 12:20. Just before noon, while cruising at an altitude of 31,000 feet, the pilots encountered technical issues. After determining the severity of the situation, they shut down the right engine, descended to 29,000 feet, and initiated the diversion. The aircraft landed safely at Philip Goldson International Airport, where emergency services were on standby but ultimately not required.
177 passengers and crew were on board during the incident. American Airlines confirmed that arrangements were made for the passengers to continue their journey on a different Boeing 737-800, registered N876NN, which took off and arrived in El Salvador at approximately 20:28 local time. Currently, the Belize authorities are investigating the cause of the smoke report, with a focus on a potential engine malfunction.
Background of the Aircraft and Current Status
The Boeing 737-800 involved in this incident is one of the older models in American Airlines’ fleet. According to data from ch-aviation, American Airlines operates around 303 Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with N951AA being delivered in December 2000. This aircraft has primarily served various short- and medium-haul routes from Miami, including popular destinations such as San Antonio and Punta Cana.
Notably, N951AA is painted in the “Astrojet” retro livery, paying homage to American Airlines’ mid-20th-century paint schemes. The airline is known for maintaining a fleet of retro-painted aircraft that reflect its merger history, including designs inspired by TWA and US Airways.
As American Airlines approaches its 100th anniversary in 2026, it recently introduced a new retro-style livery on a Boeing 777-300ER, which entered service this month. This aircraft features a modern interpretation of one of the airline’s earliest liveries, demonstrating American’s commitment to its heritage while keeping its fleet contemporary.
The diverted aircraft, N951AA, remains grounded in Belize as inspections continue to ascertain the exact cause of the incident. The swift response from the airline and emergency services ensured the safety of all individuals on board, reinforcing the importance of safety protocols in aviation.
As investigations unfold, American Airlines will be closely monitoring the situation to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
