A tragic incident unfolded at Denver International Airport on Friday night when a Frontier Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles struck and killed a pedestrian on the runway during takeoff. Reports indicate that the individual was at least partially consumed by one of the aircraft’s engines, leading to a brief engine fire that was promptly extinguished by firefighting personnel.
The incident occurred shortly after 11:19 p.m. when Frontier Flight 4345, carrying a total of 231 passengers and crew, reported the collision to air traffic control, highlighting the urgency of the situation as they detected smoke within the cabin. The pilot communicated over radio, stating, “Tower, Frontier 4345, we’re stopping on the runway. Uh, we just hit somebody… we have an engine fire.”
Following the chaotic turn of events, the aircraft’s crew initiated an emergency evacuation. Passengers evacuated the plane using emergency slides and were subsequently transported to the terminals by emergency services. Initial reports indicate at least one minor injury among the passengers, who are currently being evaluated as part of standard emergency protocol.
Frontier Airlines confirmed the occurrence, stating in a press release that the flight, an Airbus A321, had struck a pedestrian during takeoff. The airline emphasized their commitment to investigating the incident in coordination with the airport and relevant safety authorities. “We are deeply saddened by this event,” the statement read.
In the wake of the incident, airport security has begun inspecting the east perimeter fence for any vulnerabilities, as sources suggest that the individual struck did not appear to be linked to ongoing work on a nearby runway. The Denver Police Department is currently involved in an active investigation, although they have not yet released additional details.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified and is expected to participate in the ongoing investigation surrounding this tragic event.
As this story continues to develop, more information will be provided as it becomes available.
