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Runway strike, aborted takeoff
A Frontier Airlines jet struck and killed a pedestrian on the runway at Denver International Airport during takeoff, and the collision triggered an engine fire that forced the crew to abort departure and evacuate passengers via slides.
“reported striking a pedestrian during takeoff at DEN at approximately 11:19 p.m. on Friday”
The airport said the aircraft “reported striking a pedestrian during takeoff at DEN at approximately 11:19 p.m. on Friday,” and it said the unidentified person jumped a perimeter fence and was hit two minutes later while crossing the runway.
The pilot told the control tower, “We just hit somebody. We have an engine fire,” and the flight then filled with smoke as the Airbus A321neo carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members came to a stop on the runway.
Passengers described chaos and fear as the cabin filled with smoke, with one account saying “It was chaos everywhere,” while the NTSB said it was gathering information about whether the evacuation met criteria for a safety investigation.
Evacuation scrutiny and access
The NTSB is continuing its investigation into the deadly incident at DEN, where a person was struck on the runway and “the captain was able to bring the aircraft to a complete stop before the directive was given for everyone to evacuate the aircraft.”
Passengers complained about being trapped in a smoke-filled cabin before being left on the cold tarmac, and video showed some coming down emergency slides with what appeared to be carry-on bags, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Denver7 reported that aviation security expert and Metro State University Denver professor Jeff Price said, “Airport fencing is not that difficult to overcome,” and he described perimeter fencing as a “delaying action” to allow airport personnel to respond.
The airport’s official X account and airport spokesperson statements tied the fatality to a rapid breach, saying the person jumped a perimeter fence and was hit two minutes later, while the NTSB’s Sarah Taylor Sulick said, “We are gathering information about the emergency evacuation to determine if it meets criteria for a safety investigation.”
Injuries, reopening, and next steps
In the aftermath, the airport said 12 passengers suffered minor injuries and five were taken to hospitals, and it said runway 17L was closed amid the investigation before reopening Saturday around 11 a.m.
“12 passengers suffered minor injuries and five were taken to hospitals”
Frontier Airlines said in a statement that “smoke was reported in the cabin and the pilots aborted takeoff,” and it said the flight was bound for Los Angeles International Airport as Frontier Flight 4345.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the person “breached airport security at Denver Int'l Airport, deliberately scaled a perimeter fence, and ran out onto a runway,” and he added, “No one should EVER trespass on an airport.”
With the NTSB reviewing the evacuation and authorities investigating the breach, the Los Angeles Times reported that the Denver Police Department said the identity of the person on the runway will be confirmed and released by the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner, while the airport CEO Phil Washington said it was “going to take some time” as information is confirmed.
