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A horrifying Frontier Airlines Denver airport runway death unfolded late Friday when a plane struck and killed a trespasser during takeoff and passengers were rushed down emergency slides as smoke filled the cabin.
The aircraft was barreling down the runway at high speed bound for Los Angeles. Around 11pm local time the pilot suddenly slammed the brakes. Air traffic control had just cleared the flight for departure and wished the crew a good night. Then came a chilling pause followed by the pilot’s urgent voice. We are stopping on the runway. We just hit somebody. We have an engine fire.
The victim had jumped the perimeter fence just two minutes earlier. They were walking directly across the runway when the Frontier jet struck them. The collision ignited a brief engine fire which was quickly extinguished. But the cabin had already filled with visible smoke. All 224 people on board were ordered to evacuate immediately using the inflatable emergency slides. Photos shared by passengers show smoke inside the cabin and what appears to be blood on the engine.
The Frontier Airlines Denver airport runway death sparks furious questions about security
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the person was a trespasser who deliberately scaled the fence and ran onto the runway. No one should ever trespass on an airport he said. The victim is not believed to be an airport employee. Their identity remains unknown. The airport examined the fenceline and stated it was found to be intact. How the person breached security so easily is now under intense investigation.
Twelve passengers reported minor injuries from the chaotic evacuation. Five were taken to nearby hospitals. The rest were bused back to the terminal in shock. Most have since departed Denver on a replacement flight. The runway remains completely shut down as the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board launch a full investigation. Frontier expressed being deeply saddened. DIA extended sympathies to everyone involved. But the haunting question remains. How does someone simply hop a fence and walk onto an active runway unchallenged.
