Trespasser on Runway Is Sucked Into Engine During Denver Takeoff

A Frontier Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles struck and killed a trespasser on the runway at Denver International Airport late Friday night, forcing an emergency evacuation and a massive response from local authorities.According to Denver International Airport officials, the unidentified victim “jumped the perimeter fence” and was struck just two minutes later “while crossing the runway.” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the individual deliberately breached airport security, scaled the fence, and ran directly into the path of the Airbus A321 as it accelerated for takeoff.The person was sucked into the engine and at least partially consumed, triggering an engine fire that filled the cabin with smoke. Air traffic control audio captured the chilling moments immediately following the collision — in one exchange, a controller says there appear to be “limbs” on the runway, TMZ reported.“Tower, Frontier 4345, we’re stopping on the runway. Uh, we just hit somebody … we have an engine fire,” the pilot is heard saying on the audio. When the tower asked for the number of people on the aircraft, the pilot said, “We have 231 souls on board … There was an individual walking across the runway.” As smoke began to fill the cabin, the pilot quickly updated the tower: “We’ve got smoke on the aircraft; we’re going to evacuate on the runway.”Another controller communicated the grim reality of the situation: “I believe the aircraft struck an individual … I’ve got what appears to be a deceased person on the runway.” Upon reaching the aircraft, a first responder confirmed the gruesome aftermath, telling control, “There does appear to be human remains on the runway.”The Denver Fire Department rapidly extinguished the engine fire. Passengers evacuated the aircraft using emergency slides before being bused back to the terminals. Authorities reported that 12 individuals sustained minor injuries during the incident, with five transported to local hospitals for further evaluation.Frontier Airlines addressed the tragedy in a public statement: “As flight 4345 was departing this evening from Denver International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, the aircraft reportedly struck a pedestrian on the runway during takeoff. Smoke was reported in the cabin and the pilots aborted the takeoff.”The airline said the Airbus A321 had been carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members. “We are investigating this incident and gathering more information in coordination with the airport and other safety authorities. We are deeply saddened by this event.”This tragedy is the latest in a series of alarming runway incidents. Recently, Southwest Airlines Flights 1048 and 562 clipped wings while pushing back from their gates at Baltimore/Washington International Airport. In New York, Air Canada Express Flight 8646 struck an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle shortly after landing at LaGuardia Airport.

Trespasser on Runway Is Sucked Into Engine During Denver Takeoff

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