Man Gets Sucked into Frontier Plane Engine Denver International Airport

Justaglimpse · #1 ● 05-09-2026, 10:28 PM

A Frontier Airlines jet preparing to depart for Los Angeles struck and killed a pedestrian on the runway Friday night at approximately 11:19 p.m. local time, triggering an engine fire.

According to airport authorities, the person jumped a perimeter fence and was on the runway when they were struck and killed by the plane during takeoff. They were hit about two minutes after entering the airport. The person has not been identified and is not believed to be an airport employee.

The flight — Frontier Flight 4345, an Airbus A321 — was carrying 224 passengers and 7 crew members. Smoke was reported in the cabin, the pilots aborted takeoff, and passengers were safely evacuated via emergency slides as a precaution. A brief engine fire broke out and was quickly extinguished by the Denver Fire Department.

Air traffic control audio captured the dramatic moments: the pilot reported stopping on the runway, saying "We just hit somebody. We have an engine fire," and described "an individual walking across the runway."

Twelve people reported minor injuries, five of whom were transported to local hospitals.

The National Transportation Safety Board is coordinating with the FAA, Denver International Airport, and local law enforcement to investigate. The runway has since reopened, and the airport's fence line was examined and found to be intact.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy commented that the person had "deliberately scaled a perimeter fence and ran out onto a runway," adding: "No one should EVER trespass on an airport."

The investigation is still ongoing.