Denver: A tragic accident unfolded at Denver International Airport when a Frontier Airlines passenger plane struck and killed an individual who had illegally accessed the runway. The incident occurred on Friday night during the aircraft’s takeoff preparations.
According to Thai News Agency, the aircraft involved was an Airbus A321, operating as Frontier Airlines flight 4345. The flight was scheduled to travel from Denver to Los Angeles. Passengers recorded footage of the plane as it accelerated for takeoff, capturing the moment it struck an object on the runway, resulting in a fire in the right engine. Panic ensued among passengers as smoke filled the cabin.
In an audio recording of the communication with air traffic control, the pilot reported, “We just hit somebody,” followed by a notification of an engine fire and smoke in the cabin. The pilot managed to slow the aircraft for an emergency landing. All 224 passengers and seven crew members were swiftly evacuated using emergency slides. Twelve passengers sustained minor injuries, with five requiring treatment at local hospitals.
Local media sources reported that the deceased was an intruder who had breached airport security by climbing over fences and running onto the runway. The individual was struck by the plane just two minutes after entering the runway area. Due to the impact, the victim’s identity remains unknown as the body was consumed by the aircraft’s engine. Initial investigations suggest that the deceased was not affiliated with Denver airport as an employee or staff member.
In response to the incident, Denver International Airport was closed until Saturday morning as multiple agencies launched investigations to understand the circumstances surrounding the security breach.