A Frontier Airlines plane struck and killed a pedestrian on the runway at Denver International Airport during takeoff on Friday evening. The incident occurred at approximately 11:19 p.m. as Flight 4345, an Airbus A321 bound for Los Angeles International Airport, was departing.
Airport authorities stated that the pedestrian was a trespasser who had jumped the airport's perimeter fence and was struck just two minutes later while crossing the runway. The collision sparked an engine fire, and smoke was reported in the cabin, leading pilots to abort the takeoff.
The aircraft was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members. Passengers were safely evacuated via slides and transported to the terminal by emergency crew buses. Twelve passengers suffered minor injuries, five of whom were taken to local hospitals.
Runway 17L has remained closed while an investigation is conducted. Frontier Airlines is gathering more information in coordination with safety authorities, and the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified.