Topline
A pedestrian crossing the runway at Denver International Airport was struck and killed by a Frontier Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles on Friday night, shutting down a runway and resulting in multiple injuries.
The incident occurred Friday night.
AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File
Key Facts
Denver International Airport confirmed the pedestrian’s death in a statement, noting the person was not believed to be an airport employee.
The airport reported 12 minor injuries to passengers on the plane and said five of the injured were taken to a local hospital.
Denver International Airport’s 17L runway has been closed for investigation, though the airport expects it will be reopened in the coming hours.
Video obtained by CBS News shows passengers disembarking via an emergency slide, with a group of passengers closely observing one of the plane’s turbines, which is blurred in the video shared by CBS News.
Frontier Airlines confirmed the incident to Forbes, saying pilots aborted takeoff after smoke was reported in the cabin.
What Did The Flight Audio Recording Show?
A pilot told the airport’s control tower, “We just hit somebody” and that the plane had an engine fire, according to the Associated Press, which cited ATC.com, an app that shares air traffic control radio communications. The pilot noted smoke began appearing in the plane, triggering an evacuation.
How Many People Were Aboard The Plane?
Flight A321 was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members at the time of the incident, Frontier told Forbes.
Crucial Quote
“Late last night, a trespasser breached airport security at Denver Int’l Airport, deliberately scaled a perimeter fence, and ran out onto a runway,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement, confirming the 12 injuries and an investigation from the Federal Aviation Administration. “No one should EVER trespass on an airport,” Duffy added.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2026/05/09/pedestrian-killed-by-frontier-airlines-plane-leaving-denver-airport/
