Engine fireplace and emergency evacuation for 230 after fence breach
A Frontier Airways passenger jet struck and killed a pedestrian on a runway at Denver Worldwide Airport throughout takeoff late Friday, triggering an engine fireplace scare and an emergency evacuation of greater than 230 folks onboard, authorities mentioned.
In keeping with information company Reuters, the Frontier flight sure for Los Angeles hit an unidentified one that had jumped the airport’s perimeter fence and entered the runway space simply minutes earlier than the collision.
The airport mentioned the pedestrian was struck about two minutes after breaching the fence whereas crossing the runway. The person isn’t believed to be an airport worker.
Reuters reported that the Airbus A321 instantly deserted takeoff after the influence. The plane was carrying 224 passengers and 7 crew members. Airbus A321
The collision sparked a quick engine fireplace and smoke contained in the cabin, prompting an emergency evacuation on the runway.
That is the second Frontier Airways Airbus A321neo flight 4345 to LAX struck a pedestrian on Runway 17L in the course of the takeoff roll at Denver. pic.twitter.com/LZRL8OTaNj
— Turbine Traveller (@Turbinetraveler) Might 9, 2026
In keeping with Related Press, audio from air visitors management captured the pilot telling the tower: “We simply hit any individual. We’ve got an engine fireplace.” The pilot later reported smoke contained in the plane and knowledgeable controllers that passengers could be evacuated straight on the runway.
Emergency crews responded instantly as passengers exited the plane utilizing emergency slides earlier than being transported again to the terminal by buses, AP reported.
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A number of passengers injured throughout evacuation
Denver airport officers mentioned 12 folks suffered minor accidents in the course of the evacuation, whereas 5 passengers had been taken to native hospitals for remedy, Reuters reported.
A Frontier aircraft fatally struck a pedestrian in Denver because it was taking off for Los Angeles Friday night time, in response to the airline and Denver Worldwide Airport.
The Airbus A321 was taking off from Denver and departing for Los Angeles when the individual crossed the runway round… pic.twitter.com/LYM1nz4HdR
— CBS Information (@CBSNews) Might 9, 2026
Frontier Airways mentioned it was investigating the incident in coordination with airport authorities and federal security companies.
“We’re investigating this incident and gathering extra data in coordination with the airport and different security authorities,” the airline mentioned, in response to Reuters.
Runway briefly shut, investigation underway
Denver Worldwide Airport closed the runway the place the collision occurred and mentioned it anticipated operations to renew after investigators accomplished an preliminary evaluation.
Airport officers additionally examined the perimeter fence crossed by the pedestrian and mentioned it appeared intact regardless of the breach.
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Reuters reported that U.S. Transport Secretary Sean Duffy mentioned native legislation enforcement companies had been main the investigation with assist from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA).
AP reported that the Nationwide Transportation Security Board (NTSB) had additionally been notified.
Second lethal airport incident in two days
The deadly collision in Denver got here only a day after a Delta Air Strains worker was killed whereas working at Orlando Worldwide Airport, AP reported.
Delta mentioned the worker died Thursday night time however didn’t launch additional particulars in regards to the incident.
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“We’re centered on extending our full assist to household and taking good care of our Orlando workforce throughout this troublesome time,” the airline mentioned in an announcement quoted by AP.
Questions raised over airport runway safety
The Denver incident is more likely to renew scrutiny over airport perimeter safety and runway security protocols, particularly after authorities confirmed the pedestrian had gained entry to a restricted space moments earlier than the collision.
Whereas aviation accidents involving pedestrians on energetic runways stay extraordinarily uncommon, the incident triggered main emergency procedures at one of many busiest airports in america.
Authorities haven’t but recognized the person killed or defined how they managed to entry the runway space earlier than the aircraft’s departure.
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(With inputs from Reuters, AP)
