An individual met a tragic fate on Friday night after being struck by a Frontier Airlines plane that was preparing for takeoff at Denver International Airport. Authorities reported on Saturday that the man had breached the airport's security and ran onto the runway.
The incident also resulted in injuries to 12 individuals, with five requiring hospitalization.
Frontier Airlines Flight 4345, bound for Los Angeles, was in the process of taking off from runway 17L when it collided with the man at approximately 11:19 p.m. on Friday.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene and was reportedly at least partially ingested by one of the plane's engines.
The collision caused a fire in one of the engines of the Airbus A321neo and filled the cabin with smoke. A total of 231 people were on board, including 224 passengers and seven crew members.
"We're stopping on the runway. We just hit someone. We have a fire in the engine," the pilot informed air traffic control, according to audio records from ATC.com.
Minutes later, the pilot again contacted the tower: "There's smoke in the plane. We're going to evacuate on the runway."
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy confirmed in a statement that "the pilot immediately aborted the takeoff procedures" and that "a swift evacuation of the aircraft was carried out as security forces and firefighters responded."
Passengers were evacuated via inflatable emergency slides directly onto the runway and then transported by bus to the terminal.
The fire was quickly extinguished by the Denver Fire Department.
In an official statement, Frontier Airlines confirmed that "smoke was reported in the cabin and the pilots aborted the takeoff," adding that the airline is "investigating the incident and gathering more information in coordination with the airport and other security authorities."
The airport reported that the perimeter fence was intact after the incident, suggesting that the intruder deliberately climbed over it to access the runway.
Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the victim and indicated that it is not believed the individual was an airport employee.
This type of airport security breach is not unprecedented in Denver: in 2019, a man climbed a perimeter fence and walked along the runway for approximately 90 minutes before being detected, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities in the facility's security.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed it is investigating the case. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was immediately notified, and runway 17L remains closed as the investigation continues.
This incident occurs amid heightened sensitivity for the U.S. aviation industry.
In April, a Frontier plane from Florida experienced an engine fire during landing in Puerto Rico, though no injuries occurred. Weeks earlier, a Delta aircraft with 200 passengers caught fire at an airport, and in March, an American Airlines plane caught fire following landing.
The investigation is being led by local police with support from the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The NTSB is expected to determine in the coming days how an individual managed to access one of the active runways at the largest airport in the U.S. by surface area without being intercepted in time.
Security and Safety Concerns at Airports
What measures are in place to prevent runway intrusions at airports?
Airports typically have robust security systems, including surveillance cameras, security patrols, and perimeter fencing to prevent unauthorized access to runways. However, incidents like the one in Denver highlight potential gaps in these measures.
How did the pilot respond to the emergency situation?
The pilot immediately aborted takeoff procedures and communicated with air traffic control about the collision and engine fire. A swift evacuation of the aircraft was carried out to ensure passenger safety.
What is the role of the NTSB in this investigation?
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is responsible for determining the cause of the incident and assessing how the security breach occurred, as well as recommending measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.