Frontier Airlines Plane Strikes Person on Denver Airport Runway During Takeoff
A Frontier flight aborted takeoff after hitting a pedestrian who had breached security at Denver International Airport, resulting in one fatality and passenger evacuation.
A Frontier Airlines flight struck and killed a person on the runway at Denver International Airport during takeoff Friday night, forcing the evacuation of all passengers and crew members.
Flight 4345, bound for Los Angeles International Airport, reported striking a pedestrian during takeoff at approximately 11:19 p.m., according to the Denver airport's official social media account. The aircraft was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members when the incident occurred.
Following the collision, an engine fire broke out on the plane, prompting an emergency evacuation. All passengers and crew evacuated safely, though the Wall Street Journal reported that 12 people on the flight sustained injuries during the evacuation process. The cause of the engine fire has not been officially determined.
According to airport officials, the pedestrian had breached airport security by scaling a fence before entering the runway area. The person was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not released the identity of the individual or provided details about how they accessed the secure area.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the incident. The runway where the collision occurred remains closed as the investigation continues, and emergency response operations are ongoing.
Denver International Airport has not provided additional details about security protocols or how the breach occurred. The Federal Aviation Administration is assisting with the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.