A Frontier Airlines jetliner struck and killed a person on a runway at Denver International Airport Friday evening, May 8.
This forced the pilots to abort the takeoff as one of the engines caught fire and smoke filled the cabin.
The plane involved was Flight 4345, consisting of an Airbus A321 carrying 224 people and a crew of seven. At approximately 11:19 p.m., the plane had just begun its takeoff for Los Angeles International Airport.
The identity of the person is still unknown as the NTSB and FSS investigate how someone gained access to an active runway.
At the moment, it is not known whether he was an airport employee or an ordinary man.
Denver police confirmed they are now assisting in the investigation and have “no further information to provide at this time.”
How did the incident happen?
According to air traffic control audio, the plane’s pilot made an urgent call stating: “Tower, Frontier 4345, we’re stopping on the runway. Um, we just hit someone… we have an engine on fire.”
“There was an individual crossing the runway,” added the pilot.
Runway 17L remains closed at this time. The identity of the victim will be released once next of kin have been informed.
