A man was killed Friday night after being struck by a Frontier Airlines plane during takeoff at Denver International Airport, prompting an emergency evacuation and a large-scale investigation involving federal aviation authorities.
According to airport officials, the incident happened around 11:19 p.m. as Frontier Airlines Flight 4345 was preparing to depart Denver for Los Angeles International Airport. Authorities said the Airbus A321 struck a pedestrian who had entered the runway area moments before the aircraft accelerated for takeoff.
Airport officials later confirmed the man died at the scene. Investigators said the individual had jumped over a perimeter fence and managed to access the active runway approximately two minutes before the collision occurred. Authorities stated the man was not believed to be an airport employee.
Air traffic control audio captured the dramatic moments immediately after the collision. The pilot could reportedly be heard telling the control tower, “We just hit somebody,” while also reporting an engine fire. The pilot later informed controllers that smoke was filling the aircraft and that passengers would need to evacuate directly on the runway.
The aircraft was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members at the time of the incident. Frontier Airlines said smoke was reported inside the cabin shortly after the collision, leading pilots to abort takeoff procedures. It remains unclear whether the smoke was directly connected to the impact itself or the engine fire reported by the crew.
Passengers were evacuated from the plane using emergency slides while emergency responders rushed to the scene. Airport crews later transported passengers back to the terminal by bus. Officials said 12 people suffered minor injuries during the evacuation process, and five of those individuals were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Witnesses aboard the flight described a chaotic and frightening scene. Some passengers said the impact sounded similar to an explosion, while others reported smoke quickly spreading through parts of the cabin after the plane stopped on the runway.
Frontier Airlines released a statement confirming that Flight 4345 was involved in the collision and said the company is working alongside airport officials and federal safety agencies to determine exactly what happened. The airline said it is gathering additional information as the investigation continues.
Denver International Airport confirmed that Runway 17L, where the incident occurred, was shut down while investigators examined the scene. Officials said the runway was expected to reopen later after authorities completed their investigation and debris removal efforts.
The National Transportation Safety Board was notified immediately following the collision and is now involved in the investigation along with the Federal Aviation Administration, Denver Police Department, and airport officials. Investigators are also reviewing how the man managed to breach airport security and access the runway area.
Authorities have not publicly identified the victim, and investigators have not yet released details regarding why the man entered the restricted airfield area.
The deadly runway collision came just one day after a separate aviation-related tragedy involving a Delta Air Lines employee at Orlando International Airport. Delta confirmed the employee died Thursday night while working at the airport, although few details about that incident have been released publicly.
Source: AZFamily
