A tragic incident occurred at Denver International Airport when a person who jumped a perimeter fence was struck and killed by a Frontier Airlines plane during takeoff. According to airport authorities, the collision led to an engine fire and a subsequent evacuation of the aircraft, which was bound for Los Angeles International Airport.
The accident happened at approximately 11:19 p.m. on Friday. The aircraft, identified as Frontier Airlines flight 4345, reported striking a pedestrian during its takeoff roll. A spokesperson for the airport confirmed that the individual, who is not believed to be an airport employee, had entered the airport just two minutes before the collision. Airport officials reported that all 231 people on board the flight, including 224 passengers and seven crew members, were safely evacuated.
In communications with air traffic control, the pilot relayed after the impact: “We just hit somebody. We have an engine fire.” Following this, an evacuation was initiated as smoke was reported in the cabin of the aircraft. Passengers were instructed to use the emergency slides to exit the plane, and they were later transported back to the terminal by emergency personnel. Among the evacuees, 12 passengers suffered minor injuries, and five individuals were taken to hospitals due to their injuries.
Passenger Jacob Athens shared his experience on social media, describing the chaotic moments during and following the incident. He reported that shortly after takeoff, the engine exploded, creating a dense cloud of smoke that severely limited visibility. Passengers were left waiting on the runway for over an hour in cold conditions with no immediate assistance available.
Footage captured by onlookers showed passengers calmly leaving the aircraft and using the emergency slides to escape, despite the distressing situation. Denver International Airport authorities confirmed that runway 17L, where the collision occurred, was temporarily closed as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) commenced an investigation into the incident. The runway was reopened around 11 a.m. the following day.
In a statement addressing the breach of airport security, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy remarked that the individual had deliberately scaled the perimeter fence, emphasizing that no one should ever trespass onto an airport runway. This incident occurred just a day after a separate tragedy in which a Delta Air Lines employee was killed at Orlando International Airport, adding to concerns regarding safety at airport facilities.
Frontier Airlines is currently conducting its investigation in collaboration with the airport and various safety authorities to gather more information and ascertain the circumstances leading up to this unfortunate accident. This tragic event not only emphasizes the importance of security at airports but also raises awareness about the severe consequences of trespassing in restricted areas.
