A Frontier Airlines aircraft collided with a pedestrian on the runway at Denver International Airport (DEN) during takeoff, triggering an engine fire and prompting passenger evacuations, airport officials confirmed.
Incident Details
The plane, operating as Flight 4345 from Denver to Los Angeles International Airport, struck an individual on the runway at approximately 11:19 p.m. on Friday, according to the airport's official social media account. Neither the airport nor the airline has disclosed the pedestrian's condition.
Audio recordings from ATC.com capture the pilot informing air traffic control: "We're stopping on the runway. We just hit somebody. We have an engine fire." The pilot reported having "231 souls" on board and noted that an "individual was walking across the runway."
The air traffic controller responded: "Rolling the trucks now," before the pilot added: "We have smoke in the aircraft. We are going to evacuate on the runway."
Passenger Evacuation
Frontier Airlines stated that smoke was observed in the cabin, leading the pilots to abort the takeoff. The airline confirmed that the Airbus A321 carried 224 passengers and seven crew members. Passengers evacuated via emergency slides and were transported by bus to the terminal.
It remains unclear whether the smoke was directly linked to the collision with the pedestrian.
Investigation Underway
Denver International Airport announced that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified. Runway 17L, where the incident occurred, will remain closed as authorities conduct a thorough investigation.
Frontier Airlines said in a statement: "We are investigating this incident and gathering more information in coordination with the airport and other safety authorities."
