A Frontier Airlines flight tragically struck and killed a pedestrian on the runway at Denver International Airport while taking off late Friday night. The incident, which occurred around 11:19 p.m., led to an engine fire and the subsequent evacuation of all passengers.
The flight, bound for Los Angeles International Airport, reported the collision shortly after takeoff. According to airport officials, the pedestrian had jumped a perimeter fence and was struck just two minutes after entering the airport grounds.
The pilot communicated with the control tower, stating, "We just hit somebody. We have an engine fire," while confirming there were 231 people on board.
In response, the air traffic controller informed the crew that emergency vehicles were being dispatched. The pilot later reported smoke in the cabin and initiated an evacuation on the runway.
Frontier Airlines confirmed that flight 4345 was involved in the incident. They noted that the airline is cooperating with safety authorities for further investigation.
The Airbus A321 was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members. After the evacuation, emergency services transported the passengers to the terminal. Reports indicate that 12 individuals sustained minor injuries, with five taken to local hospitals.
Denver Airport officials stated that the National Transportation Safety Board has been alerted, and runway 17L, where the incident occurred, will remain closed for investigation.
This fatal incident follows the death of a Delta Air Lines employee at Orlando International Airport just a day prior, raising concerns about safety in airport environments.