Charis Student Shares Testimony of Denver Plane Fire  

The Word promises that God will work all things together for good, to those who love God (Romans 8:28). One of our Charis Woodland Park students saw this in action as their plane, headed from Colorado Springs to Dallas, suddenly had to make an emergency landing in Denver and burst into flames.  

American Airlines Flight 1006 was enroute from Colorado Springs Airport to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on March 13th when the crew reported engine vibrations. The plane caught fire after landing at Denver International Airport, prompting an emergency evacuation. 

Shortly after the aircraft landed, a man’s voice on the same radio frequency was heard yelling, “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday! Mayday! Engine fire!”  

After coming to a stop, passengers noticed flames and smoke outside their windows. Smoke filled the cabin, and ground crews at Denver International Airport rushed to the gate and began dousing the flaming engine with water and fire retardant. People could be seen coming out of the plane’s door and walking onto the wing. On the ground, some crew members raced to reach the plane’s wing with a ladder. 

In a statement, American Airlines said all 172 passengers and six crew members deplaned safely and were relocated to the terminal. Twelve of the passengers were transported to area hospitals with minor injuries. 

Regina Flanery, a Year 3 Ministry School student at Charis Woodland Park, woke up that morning not feeling her best, but was supposed to fly out that evening for an event in Dallas, so decided to go to school, then go to the airport as scheduled. On the plane, she sat next to two men who were talking, one of whom was a pilot. About 20 minutes into the flight, he could tell that they had rerouted the plane, and they could hear rattling and vibrations.  

In her quiet time earlier that morning, Regina had been praying about the trip and knew she was still supposed to go. The Lord had also twice reminded her of John 16:33, that “…in Me ye might have peace. In this world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Here at Charis, she has learned that she carries the protection of God Almighty.  

Regina shares that the cabin was filled with the smell of burning plastic and smoke. Everyone in the back started screaming, but she had no concerns, only peace that passed understanding.  

She was one of the last ones off the plane, climbed out onto the wing, and exited. They were told to go inside the terminal and a lady from Southwest, full of love, came to them and brought water and tissues. Unable to stop coughing, she and two other ladies were transported by ambulance to a local hospital. Once her coughing had subsided, she shared that she was attending Charis and testified that just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, there would be nothing wrong with her – not even the smell of smoke. Indeed, they tested her, and there wasn’t anything wrong!  

Regina knows that no matter what storms you may face, the peace and protection of God cover you, and she feels like the Lord has used Charis to prepare her for any storm. She’s so grateful as she remembers how God prepared her, how peace consumed her, and how God is for her. She’s so grateful that the Word has taken root in her heart. Throughout her time preparing for and attending Charis, God has been so faithful, providing everything she has needed. After experiencing the power of the Word at Charis, she is planning to write a book about how God is in the details of our lives, and He’s so good and faithful. She’s made His Word her own, it’s coming alive in her, and she’s experiencing it.  

Now, the airline gave her enough money and free miles to fund at least her next three trips that she was hoping to take – one to visit family, a mission trip to New Orleans, and a mission trip to India. What the enemy meant for evil, God turned around for good! When she launches out from Charis at the end of this school year, Regina knows that she’ll never have to be afraid of anything ever again. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world! She knows who she is and what’s within her, and she has the Lord with her wherever she goes. “I’m forever changed,” she shares.