Frontier Airlines Plane Strikes Pedestrian During Takeoff at Denver Airport
A Frontier Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles struck and killed a pedestrian during takeoff at Denver International Airport, leading to an engine fire and passenger evacuation.
A Frontier Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles struck and killed a pedestrian during takeoff at Denver International Airport on Friday night. The incident occurred at approximately 11:19 p.m. local time on runway 17L. The pedestrian, who was not an airport employee, had breached the airport's perimeter fence and was struck two minutes after entering the runway area. The impact caused an engine fire, prompting the pilots to abort the takeoff and evacuate the aircraft. The Airbus A321neo was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members. All occupants were evacuated via emergency slides and transported to the terminal by bus. Twelve individuals sustained minor injuries, with five requiring hospital treatment. The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified, and runway 17L remains closed pending investigation.