Denver International Airport (DEN) became the scene of a grim incident Friday night when a Frontier Airlines flight, bound for Los Angeles, fatally struck a person on the runway during takeoff. The collision ignited an engine fire, precipitating an emergency evacuation of the aircraft.
The catastrophic event saw passengers evacuated via emergency slides, with images circulating online depicting travelers wrapped in blankets amidst the chaos.
The pilot, in a moment of chilling clarity captured on air traffic control audio, reported, "Uh, we just hit somebody… we have an engine fire." This statement was followed by a responder's grim observation, "there does appear to be human remains on the runway."
Twelve individuals onboard the flight sustained minor injuries, with five requiring transport to local hospitals. Most of the disembarked passengers were subsequently bused back to the terminal and rerouted onto a rescheduled flight. Runway 17L, the site of the collision, was temporarily closed for investigation, though it was anticipated to reopen shortly. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified.
Read More: Frontier Jet Hits Person on Denver Runway, 1 Dead
Breach and Impact
Authorities indicated that the unidentified individual who was struck had "breached airport security," allegedly scaling a perimeter fence before entering the runway. However, an airport spokesperson noted that an inspection of the fence revealed no punctures. The individual was reportedly hit shortly after entering the airport premises.
The incident at Denver's airport is not isolated, occurring against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny over aviation safety in the United States. It follows a series of recent airport and air traffic incidents, including a collision at New York's LaGuardia Airport that killed two people and an incident involving a United Airlines flight and a tractor-trailer near Newark Liberty International Airport. Earlier on Friday, a Delta Air Lines employee tragically died at Orlando International Airport.
The investigation into the Denver incident is ongoing, with the Denver Police Department assisting in the probe.
Read More: JetBlue Adds 11 New Routes from Fort Lauderdale After Spirit Exits
