Travelers at Tampa International got more than just peanuts when an American Airlines plane lost a tire during takeoff Wednesday morning, sparking flames and an FAA investigation into the fiery malfunction.

The unexpected spectacle occurred at 7:50 a.m. ET when the flight, bound for Phoenix, suddenly found itself momentarily rooted to the spot. With 174 passengers and a crew of six on board, the blown tire sent smoke and sparks flying, immediately drawing emergency responders. Thankfully, everyone on board was safely deplaned and rebooked on alternative flights. As the FAA pokes its nose into yet another mishap, it seems the airline industry can’t catch a break—or hold onto a wheel—this week.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as something out of a disaster movie, with smoke billowing from the plane's right tire just moments after it began accelerating down the runway. Footage captured by onlookers revealed a shower of sparks and tire fragments littering the tarmac, creating an impromptu Fourth of July display a few months too early.

"The whole thing was pretty surreal," said passenger Marcia Thompson. "One moment, I'm thinking about whether I packed enough sunscreen, and the next, I'm wondering if I should have doubled down on that travel insurance."

Emergency responders, displaying the punctuality usually reserved for pizza delivery, arrived just before 8 a.m. Several fire trucks and ambulances were seen rushing to the plane, which had come to a screeching halt in a cloud of smokey disarray.

According to an American Airlines spokesperson, the plane experienced a mechanical issue with its Boeing 737-800 tires, which caused the right tire to blow and subsequently catch fire. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, and all passengers and crew members were safely deplaned and bussed back to the terminal where they could ponder the curse of delayed departures in more comfortable surroundings.

In an act of public relations heroism, the airline swiftly apologized for the inconvenience caused, and passengers were rebooked on other flights to Phoenix. Wendy Caldwell, another passenger, quipped, "At least we got some entertainment, and I've always wanted to see how quickly I could make new flight arrangements."

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wasted little time in announcing an investigation into the incident. This development comes as no surprise considering the odd coincidence of another airline tire incident earlier the same week, involving United Airlines. Apparently, airlines have taken 'wheel of fortune' a bit too literally.

In a separate incident, a United Airlines plane lost a wheel during takeoff from Los Angeles to Denver. While the tire was later recovered in Los Angeles, the mystery of the vanishing wheel reminded many why investing in frequent flyer miles might sometimes seem like betting on a horse with three legs.

Aviation experts reassured the public that the loss of a plane tire, though rare, is typically uneventful. Serve that little nugget of wisdom next time Uncle Larry insists on discussing the safety of air travel over Thanksgiving dinner.

In response to the incidents, the FAA is conducting a broader safety review, particularly scrutinizing several events reported from United Airlines. While this might sound alarming, rest assured, the scrutiny is aimed at keeping the skies not just friendly, but also fully equipped with all necessary wheels.

As passengers from the ill-fated American Airlines flight made their way to new departure gates, some couldn't help but find humor in the situation. "I guess it's one way to break the monotony of your average Wednesday morning," remarked Michael Greenfield, another 'almost' traveler to Phoenix. "Airlines sure know how to keep it interesting."

The mishap may have delayed these passengers' journeys, but it also gave them stories to tell—tales of a tire blowout and the subsequent response.

In the end, all's well that ends with an emergency evacuation and a rebooked flight.