Person who jumped perimeter fence is hit and killed by Frontier plane during takeoff on Denver runway, airport says
Person who jumped perimeter fence is hit and killed by Frontier plane during takeoff on Denver runway, airport says
Person who jumped perimeter fence is hit – Denver International Airport confirmed that a pedestrian was fatally struck by a Frontier Airlines aircraft during takeoff on Runway 17L late Friday evening. The incident occurred approximately two minutes after the individual scaled the airport’s perimeter fence and entered the active runway, according to the airport’s statement. The Airbus A321, operating as Flight 4345, was en route from Denver to Los Angeles when the collision happened. The plane carried 224 passengers and seven crew members, as reported by Frontier Airlines.
Emergency responders were alerted to the crash shortly after 11:19 p.m. local time. The pilot of the aircraft informed air traffic control that the plane had struck a person on the runway, prompting immediate dispatch of emergency vehicles. The event was captured by the ATC.com app, which shared audio from the control tower showing the pilot’s report of the collision. A few seconds later, a controller confirmed the arrival of first responders at the scene.
Following the impact, the pilots initiated an emergency abort of the takeoff. The aircraft came to a stop on the runway, and a brief engine fire was reported. The Denver Fire Department swiftly extinguished the flames, as noted by the airport. Passengers were then evacuated through slides as a precautionary measure. According to the airport, twelve individuals sustained minor injuries, with five requiring transportation to local hospitals for treatment.
“I looked to my right, and I just see the right wing just on fire and like, it’s exploding,” said Jose Cervantes, a passenger on the flight. “The aircraft lands back down, and they kind of like swivel side to side, and then they stop, shut it off right away, and then the cabin starts to fill up with smoke.”
Cervantes described the chaos of the moment, recalling how he felt the plane tilt as it began to descend. “I thought I was going to burn to death. You know, when I just saw the fire and the smoke, I just thought I was going to burn,” he added. The passenger also shared that his mother, who was also aboard the flight, suffered an injury during the evacuation. “My mom actually ended up going straight down the slide and like locking her knee when she hit the floor,” Cervantes explained. “She doesn’t have any fractures, but we still gotta take her to the ER.”
The incident left passengers shaken, with some choosing to delay their journeys. John Anthens, a 56-year-old traveler, and his 30-year-old son decided to skip their flight home to Nebraska. “I saw a little spark, and then I saw and heard a big explosion, like a bomb going off,” Anthens told CNN, describing the moment the engine burst. The pair opted to rent a car for the eight-hour drive instead, emphasizing the trauma of the event.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is working alongside the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Denver International Airport operations, and local law enforcement to investigate the incident. A spokesperson for the FAA stated that the agency is examining the event to determine its cause. The airport also noted that the perimeter fence was inspected and found to be in good condition, though the individual had deliberately crossed it.
Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 revealed that the Airbus A321 was accelerating at around 146 miles per hour just before the abort. The plane had already reached significant speed when the collision occurred, raising questions about the pedestrian’s ability to avoid the oncoming aircraft. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed the situation, highlighting that the person had “deliberately” scaled the fence and ventured onto the runway. “No one should EVER trespass on an airport,” Duffy added, expressing the severity of the incident.
Frontier Airlines released a statement expressing their sorrow over the event. “We are deeply saddened by this event,” the airline said, while emphasizing the importance of safety protocols. The airport confirmed that Runway 17L had been cleared and reopened by Saturday morning, allowing for normal operations to resume. However, the exact cause of the pedestrian’s death and the full details of the collision remain under investigation.
As the investigation continues, authorities are gathering evidence from the scene, including footage of the incident and data from the aircraft’s systems. The NTSB is expected to release findings in the coming days, providing clarity on whether the pedestrian’s actions or a mechanical failure contributed to the accident. Meanwhile, Frontier Airlines is reviewing their procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Passengers who were affected by the event have shared their experiences, offering personal accounts of the turbulence and fear that followed the collision. Some described the plane’s sudden tilt and the visible flames, while others recounted the quick response of the crew to ensure everyone’s safety. The airport has also acknowledged the need for improved safety measures, including enhanced monitoring of the perimeter area during late hours.
CNN has contacted the Denver Fire Department and Frontier Airlines for further details. The airline is currently providing updates on the situation, while the airport is ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to support the injured and address the incident. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on understanding how the pedestrian managed to cross the runway and the role of the airport’s security in preventing such an occurrence.
The timeline of the event shows that the plane was scheduled to depart at 10:39 p.m. local time. However, the collision took place at 11:19 p.m., just over two minutes later. This brief window of time highlights the challenges of ensuring safety during nighttime operations, when visibility may be reduced and the risk of unauthorized access increases. The airport has since implemented additional checks on the perimeter fence and is reviewing its procedures to minimize the chances of such an incident recurring.
With the runway cleared and passengers safely evacuated, the focus has shifted to the broader implications of the event. The NTSB’s involvement signals a serious review of airport safety protocols, particularly those related to pedestrian access during takeoff and landing. As the investigation progresses, it is hoped that the incident will serve as a reminder of the critical importance of vigilance in aviation environments.