Frontier Airlines Plane Strikes and Kills Runway Trespasser During Take-Off at Denver Airport

A passenger plane operated by Frontier Airlines struck and killed a person who had entered a runway at Denver International Airport late Friday night, forcing an emergency evacuation of more than 220 passengers after an engine fire broke out.

Air traffic control audio captured the dramatic moments after the collision as the pilot of Frontier Flight 4345 informed controllers: “We just hit somebody.”

“We’re stopping on the runway,” the pilot added before reporting an engine fire onboard the aircraft.

The flight, an Airbus A321 bound for Los Angeles International Airport, was preparing for departure at around 11:00pm local time when it struck the individual.

According to authorities, the person had jumped over an airport perimeter fence just two minutes before the collision and was seen walking across the runway moments before impact.

The aircraft was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members at the time. The pilot later informed the control tower there were “231 souls on board.”

Smoke was seen inside the cabin after the incident as flames erupted near the aircraft’s right wing. Emergency crews from the Denver Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire.

All passengers were evacuated using inflatable emergency slides as a precaution.

Airport authorities said 12 passengers suffered minor injuries during the evacuation, while five were transported to local hospitals. Their conditions have not been disclosed.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the aircraft was travelling at high speed during the incident.

“Late last night, a trespasser breached airport security at Denver Int’l Airport, deliberately scaled a perimeter fence, and ran out onto a runway,” Duffy said in a statement.

“No one should EVER trespass on an airport,” he added.

Commercial passenger aircraft typically reach speeds of between 150mph and 180mph during take-off.

Denver International Airport confirmed the individual who died was not believed to be an airport employee and said inspections found the airport perimeter fence remained intact.

After evacuating, passengers were transported back to the terminal by bus while emergency crews secured the scene. Airport officials later confirmed that most passengers were eventually placed on another Frontier flight.

The runway involved in the incident was temporarily closed as investigations were launched by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.