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Frontier jet hits individual on Denver runway, killing them
A Frontier Airlines aircraft struck and killed a person while accelerating for takeoff at Denver International Airport late Friday, authorities confirmed. The collision triggered a brief engine fire and forced an emergency evacuation of all 224 passengers and crew.
Incident timeline
The Airbus A321neo was departing for Los Angeles around 11:00 p.m. local time (06:00 BST Saturday) when the tragedy occurred. Air traffic control had just cleared the flight for takeoff and bid the crew goodnight. Moments later, the pilot radioed back: "We're stopping on the runway. We just hit somebody. We have an engine fire."
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated the plane was traveling at "high speed" when it collided with the individual, who had breached airport security by scaling a perimeter fence and running onto the active runway.
Emergency response
Denver Fire Department crews extinguished the engine fire within minutes. Smoke entered the cabin, prompting the captain to order an immediate evacuation via inflatable slides. Photos shared by a passenger with CBS News showed blood on the engine cowling and smoke inside the aircraft.
Twelve passengers reported minor injuries during the evacuation; five were transported to local hospitals for evaluation. The remaining 219 travelers were bused back to the terminal and later rebooked on a replacement Frontier flight.
Investigation and security review
The runway remains closed while the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board conduct a joint investigation. Denver International Airport stated the perimeter fence was intact at the time of the breach.
"No one should ever trespass on an airport," Secretary Duffy emphasized in a statement. The identity of the deceased has not been released, and authorities do not believe the person was an airport employee.
Airport statement
"We are deeply saddened by this event and extend our deepest sympathies to everyone affected."
Frontier Airlines
"We are extremely saddened by this incident and express our sympathies to those involved."
Denver International Airport
