Home / Disasters and Accidents / Runway Tragedy: Pedestrian Strike Halts Frontier Flight
Runway Tragedy: Pedestrian Strike Halts Frontier Flight
10 May
Summary
- A pedestrian breached security and was struck on an active runway.
- The collision caused an engine fire and emergency evacuation.
- Twelve passengers sustained minor injuries during evacuation.
A Frontier Airlines flight was forced to abort takeoff and evacuate passengers late Friday night after a collision with a pedestrian on a Denver runway. The aircraft, Flight 4345, was preparing to depart for Los Angeles when the individual, who had reportedly breached airport security and scaled a fence, entered the active runway.
The impact with the Airbus A321neo triggered a significant engine fire. Cockpit audio captured the pilot reporting the collision and subsequent fire to air traffic control. Passengers described a terrifying scene, with screams and smoke filling the cabin.
The Denver Fire Department quickly extinguished the flames. Passengers evacuated via emergency slides, with twelve reporting minor injuries, and five being transported to hospitals. Authorities confirmed the victim was a trespasser and not an airport employee.
Investigations into how the individual bypassed security and accessed the runway are underway by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration. The runway involved has been temporarily shut down.
