A Frontier Airlines jetliner fatally struck a pedestrian who breached security at Denver International Airport during takeoff on Friday night. The Airbus A321neo, carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members, was preparing to depart for Los Angeles when it hit the individual around 11:19 p.m. local time, according to airport authorities and Frontier Airlines. The pedestrian had scaled a perimeter fence just two minutes before being struck while crossing runway 17L.
Key Takeaways
A Frontier Airlines jet struck and killed a pedestrian who breached security at Denver International Airport during takeoff on Friday night. The Airbus A321neo, carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members, hit the individual around 11:19 p.m. local time.
- Pedestrian scaled perimeter fence two minutes before being struck
- Plane reported engine fire; passengers evacuated via slides
- Minor injuries to 12 people; five hospitalized
- Runway reopened Saturday around 11 a.m.; investigation ongoing
The plane reported an engine fire and smoke in the cabin, prompting pilots to abort takeoff. Passengers were safely evacuated via slides as a precaution. Air traffic control recordings revealed the pilot telling controllers, 'We just hit somebody. We have an engine fire.' The controller responded that emergency vehicles were being dispatched.
Newly released surveillance footage shows thermal imaging of the unidentified person scaling the perimeter fence before walking into the airplane's path. According to Fox News, transportation secretary Sean Duffy confirmed in a post on X that 'The trespasser on the runway was then struck by Frontier Airlines Flight 4345 during takeoff at high speed.' The individual was reportedly 'at least partially consumed' by one of the plane's engines.
The incident resulted in minor injuries to 12 people, with five individuals transported to local hospitals for treatment. Runway 17L was closed immediately following the incident but reopened Saturday around 11 a.m.. Local law enforcement is investigating the incident, supported by the FAA and TSA. A brief engine fire occurred but was extinguished by the Denver Fire Department.
The exact circumstances leading up to the pedestrian's presence on the runway remain under investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is collecting information about the evacuation of a Frontier Airlines aircraft after the jet struck and killed a person on the runway during departure from Denver International Airport, as reported by The Guardian. US transportation secretary Sean Duffy described the individual who died as a 'trespasser' who had breached airport security.
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