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 from Denver to Los Angeles, struck a person on Runway 17L during takeoff at Denver International Airport on Friday night. The individual had breached the airport's perimeter fence and was fatally injured upon impact.
Following the collision, the aircraft's engine caught fire, prompting the pilots to abort the takeoff. Smoke was reported inside the cabin, leading to the evacuation of all 224 passengers and seven crew members via emergency slides. Twelve individuals sustained minor injuries, with five transported to local hospitals for treatment.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have initiated investigations into the incident. Denver International Airport confirmed that the perimeter fence was intact prior to the breach.
Runway 17L was temporarily closed but has since reopened. Flight operations at the airport experienced minimal disruptions.