DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - A Frontier Airlines Airbus A321, bound for Los Angeles, aborted its takeoff late Friday evening after striking a pedestrian on Runway 17L at Denver International Airport. The incident, occurring around 10:15 p.m. local time, led to reports of smoke in the cabin and an engine fire, prompting an immediate evacuation of the aircraft.
The aircraft, carrying 231 people (224 passengers and 7 crew members), was accelerating at approximately 146 miles per hour when the collision occurred. The pilots aborted the takeoff, and emergency crews responded to the scene. Passengers were bussed back to the terminal. Frontier Airlines has stated the flight was rescheduled for departure later Saturday morning.
Airport security was reportedly inspecting perimeter fences for gaps on Saturday morning. A source briefed on the incident indicated the pedestrian did not appear to be connected to ongoing work on a parallel runway. The Denver Fire Department extinguished a fire on the aircraft.
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Authorities have not released details regarding the pedestrian involved in the incident. Runway 17L will remain closed during the ongoing investigation. One passenger reportedly sustained a minor injury during the evacuation.
This event follows a recent incident where a United Airlines flight struck a bakery truck near Newark Liberty International Airport.
