By Roberto Bustamante
A Frontier plane fatally struck a person in Denver while taking off for Los Angeles on Friday night, the airline and Denver International Airport said.
The Airbus A321 was taking off from Denver bound for Los Angeles when the person crossed the runway around 11:19 p.m., according to statements issued by Frontier Airways and the Denver airport.
The airport reported that the person died in the accidentalthough his identity has not been revealed. According to the first reports, she jumped the airport perimeter fence and was run over two minutes later while crossing the runway.
According to Frontier, smoke was reported in the cabin after the accident. The pilots canceled takeoff and stopped the plane. Passengers were evacuated using slides and later transferred by bus to the terminal.
Observation from DEN on incident tonight: Frontier Flight 4345 reported putting a pedestrian all the procedure through takeoff at DEN at approximately 11:19 pm on Friday, Could perchance furthermore merely 8, 2026. There used to be a like a flash engine fireplace that used to be promptly extinguished by the Denver Fire Dept. (1/2)
— Denver Int’l Airport (@DENAirport) Could perchance furthermore merely 9, 2026
No serious injuries were reported among the 224 passengers and seven crew members, Frontier reported. The airport indicated that 12 people reported minor injuriesfive of whom were transferred to local hospitals.
John Anthens was traveling with his son, Jacob, and spoke to CBS News after the incident. He said he was sitting by a window on the wing and noticed a spark, followed by what he described as a large explosion in the wing and engine area.
He added that, after the explosion, The passengers screamed and thick smoke filled the cabin.. After disembarking, Anthens estimated that he and the other passengers waited on the tarmac, in the open, for about an hour before buses arrived to transport them back to the terminal.
Frontier said it is investigating the incident. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has also been notified.
The cause of the incident, including the engine fire, has not yet been determined.. Runway 17L, where the collision with the pedestrian occurred, will remain closed for the investigation and is expected to reopen on Saturday.
The airport reported that the facility’s perimeter fence remains intact and that the person is not believed to be an airport employee. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy referred to the person as a “trespasser” and said local authorities are also investigating the incident.
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