Dramatic footage has captured the moment passengers, including children, evacuated a Frontier Airlines plane after it struck and killed a pedestrian on the runway at Denver International Airport. The flight, bound for Los Angeles, was taking off when it hit an individual walking across the runway. The victim was partially consumed by one of the engines, triggering a fire that was extinguished by firefighters.
Evacuation and Emergency Response
Emergency slides were deployed, and passengers slid down onto the darkened runway. Social media footage shows damage to the aircraft's engine, with responders urging passengers to move away. Interior footage captured sparks shooting from the right engine as alarmed passengers reacted in shock.
Air traffic control audio reveals the pilot reporting, "Tower, Frontier 4345, we're stopping on the runway. We just hit somebody... we have an engine fire." The pilot confirmed 231 souls on board and noted an individual walking across the runway. Shortly after, the pilot reported smoke in the cabin and initiated an evacuation on the runway.
Investigation and Statements
Denver Fire Department extinguished the blaze. A Denver Airport spokesperson stated that the pedestrian jumped a perimeter fence and was struck two minutes after entering the airport; the individual is not believed to be an airport employee. Frontier Airlines confirmed that Flight 4345 aborted takeoff due to smoke in the cabin, and all 224 passengers and 7 crew members were safely evacuated via slides. The airline expressed deep sadness and is investigating in coordination with safety authorities. The US National Transportation Safety Board has been notified.
