On November 26, 2023, an American Airlines Boeing 737-800 diverted to Belize City after smoke was reported in the rear of the cabin. The aircraft was operating flight AA327 from Miami to El Salvador when the crew detected unusual odors and vibrations. Following this, the decision was made to shut down one engine before diverting to Belize City, as detailed by The Aviation Herald. The aircraft landed safely, and while emergency services were on standby, they were ultimately not needed.
Details of the Diversion
The Boeing 737-800, registered as N951AA, departed Miami at approximately 10:35 local time. It was scheduled to arrive in El Salvador at 12:20. By 11:49, while cruising at an altitude of 31,000 feet, the flight crew reported technical issues. When the aircraft was about 160 nautical miles east of Belize City, the pilots took swift action to shut down the right engine, descend to 29,000 feet, and initiate a diversion to Belize.
American Airlines confirmed that there were 177 passengers and crew on board. After landing, the airline arranged alternative travel for the passengers, who continued their journey on another Boeing 737-800, registered as N876NN, which reached El Salvador at around 20:28 local time. Currently, authorities are investigating a potential engine malfunction, and N951AA remains grounded at Philip Goldson International Airport while inspections are conducted.
Aircraft Background and Fleet Information
According to data from ch-aviation, American Airlines operates a fleet of approximately 303 Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The plane involved in this incident, N951AA, is one of the oldest in the fleet, having been delivered in December 2000. It has recently served on various short- and medium-haul routes from Miami, including destinations such as San Antonio, Punta Cana, Oranjestad, and Montego Bay.
Notably, N951AA is painted in the “Astrojet” retro livery, which honors one of American’s mid-20th-century paint schemes. The airline features several retro-painted aircraft that pay tribute to its history of mergers, including significant integrations with US Airways in 2013 and earlier acquisitions of AirCal, TWA, Reno Air, and PSA. This commitment to its heritage is further emphasized by recent additions to its fleet, including a new retro-style livery on a Boeing 777-300ER, registered as N735AT, reflecting the airline’s upcoming 100th anniversary in 2026.
As investigations continue into the cause of the smoke incident, American Airlines remains focused on passenger safety and service reliability, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining high operational standards across its fleet.
