Photo: Ceri Breeze / iStock Editorial / Getty Images
A tragic incident occurred late Friday night (May 8) at Denver International Airport when a Frontier Airlines jet struck and killed a person who had breached airport security. The individual scaled a perimeter fence and ran onto the runway, where they were hit by Frontier Flight 4345 during takeoff. The flight was bound for Los Angeles International Airport with 231 people on board, including 224 passengers and seven crew members.
According to ABC News, the person was "at least partially consumed" by the plane's engine.
The collision resulted in a brief engine fire, which the Denver Fire Department quickly extinguished. Passengers reported smoke filling the cabin, prompting an emergency evacuation on the runway. Emergency crews transported passengers to the terminal. KUSA reported that 12 people on the plane suffered minor injuries, and five of them were taken to the hospital for treatment.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the person who ran onto the runway was not connected to any airport work and was not an airport employee. The airport stated that the fenceline was intact, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident. Runway 17L remains closed during the investigation.
Frontier Airlines released a statement expressing their sadness over the event and confirmed that they are working with authorities to gather more information. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are assisting local law enforcement in the investigation.