Frontier Airlines Plane Strikes Trespasser During Takeoff at Denver Airport
A Frontier Airlines flight aborted takeoff at Denver International Airport after striking a trespasser on the runway, resulting in one fatality and minor injuries among passengers.
A Frontier Airlines Airbus A321neo, operating as Flight 4345, aborted its takeoff at Denver International Airport on Friday night after striking a trespasser who had breached the airport's perimeter fence. The individual, who was not an airport employee, was killed in the incident.
The aircraft, carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members, was departing for Los Angeles International Airport when the collision occurred. The impact caused an engine fire, prompting the pilots to halt the takeoff and evacuate the passengers via emergency slides. Twelve passengers sustained minor injuries, with five transported to local hospitals for further evaluation.
In air traffic control audio, the pilot reported, "We just hit somebody. We have an engine fire." The Denver Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire, and all passengers were safely evacuated.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident. The affected runway, 17L, was temporarily closed during the investigation.
This event follows a recent incident at Los Angeles International Airport, where a Frontier Airlines plane narrowly avoided a collision with two trucks on a taxiway.