A pedestrian was struck and killed by a Frontier Airlines plane during takeoff at Denver International Airport, leading to an engine fire and the evacuation of passengers. The incident occurred as the plane was departing for Los Angeles International Airport, with the airport confirming the collision on its official social media account.
According to an airport spokesperson, the pedestrian, who had breached a perimeter fence, tragically lost their life after being hit just two minutes into entering the runway area. The individual, who is not believed to have been an airport employee, was struck by the plane while it was in motion.
The pilot immediately informed the control tower about the collision and the subsequent engine fire, stating that there were “231 souls” on board and that an individual had been walking across the runway. Passengers were evacuated via slides and subsequently transported to the airport terminal by emergency personnel.
Frontier Airlines reported that Flight 4345 was involved in the incident, noting that smoke was detected in the cabin and the takeoff was aborted. The airline stated that 224 passengers and seven crew members were on the Airbus A321 aircraft during the event.
Twelve passengers sustained minor injuries, with five requiring hospitalization. The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified, and the affected runway will remain closed as the investigation unfolds. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the pedestrian as a “trespasser” who breached security protocols by scaling a perimeter fence and accessing the runway.
The tragic incident occurred a day after a Delta Air Lines employee lost their life while on duty at Orlando International Airport. The airline expressed condolences and pledged support to the family and affected employees, emphasizing the cooperation with local authorities in the ongoing investigation.