A person was killed after being struck by a Frontier Airlines plane on a runway at Denver International Airport on Friday night. The incident occurred as Flight 4345 was taking off for Los Angeles International Airport, and the pilot immediately halted the plane after hitting the individual. Air traffic control audio captured the pilot’s urgent call to the control tower, reporting an engine fire and a person hit on the runway.
The plane, an Airbus A321, was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members when the incident occurred at around 11:00 PM local time. Twelve passengers reported minor injuries, with five taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The Denver Fire Department quickly extinguished the engine fire, and passengers were evacuated using inflatable emergency slides as a precaution.
Danger on the Runway
The individual who was hit had jumped a perimeter fence and onto the runway just two minutes before the impact, according to the airline. An air traffic controller had cleared the plane for takeoff just before the incident, and the pilot reported seeing a person walking across the runway. The plane was moving at a high speed, estimated to be between 150 and 180mph, when it hit the individual.
The incident has raised concerns about airport security, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stating that “no one should EVER trespass on an airport.” The airport has examined the fenceline and found it to be intact, and the trespasser is not believed to be an airport employee. Passengers on board the plane reported hearing a thud and seeing smoke and flames coming from the right wing.
Photos and videos shared by passengers show smoke in the cabin, and one passenger described the terrifying moment when he saw the fire and thought he was going to burn to death. The passengers were bused back to the terminal after evacuating the plane, and the majority have since left Denver on a new Frontier flight.
Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have launched an investigation into the incident, which has raised questions about airport security and the potential risks of trespassing on runways. The runway was closed following the incident, and the airport has expressed its sympathies to those involved.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of airport security and the need for vigilance in preventing trespassing and other safety risks. As the investigation continues, it is clear that this incident will have significant implications for airports and airlines across the country.
