Pedestrian fatally hit by Frontier airplane departing Denver for Los Angeles, flight canceled after engine fire
A Frontier plane fatally struck a pedestrian in Denver as it was taking off for Los Angeles Friday night, according to the airline and Denver International Airport.
The Airbus A321 was taking off from Denver and departing for Los Angeles when the person crossed the runway around 11:19 p.m., according to statements issued by Frontier Airlines and the Denver airport.
The airport said that the person was killed in the collision. The person, who has not been identified, jumped the airport's perimeter fence and was hit two minutes later while crossing the runway, the airport said.
The pilot told DIA controllers, "We just hit somebody. We have an engine fire," according to radio traffic.
According to Frontier, smoke was reported in the cabin after the collision. Pilots canceled takeoff and stopped the plane. Passengers were evacuated using slides, then bused back to the terminal.
No major injuries were reported among the 224 passengers and seven crew members, Frontier said. The airport said 12 people reported minor injuries, and five of those were transported to local hospitals. The airport said the majority of the passengers have since departed Denver on a new Frontier flight.
John Anthens was with his son, Jacob, on the plane, and spoke with CBS News after the incident. He said he was seated by a window over the wing and noticed a spark, followed by what he said was a big explosion in the wing and engine area.
He said that after the explosion, passengers were screaming, and thick smoke filled the cabin. After deplaning, Anthens estimated that he and the other passengers waited on the runway in the cold weather for what felt like about an hour before buses arrived to transport them back to the terminal.
Frontier says it's investigating the incident.
The National Transportation Safety Board released a statement on Saturday afternoon, saying, "NTSB is coordinating with the FAA, Denver airport operations and local law enforcement to collect information about the event but we do not have any details to share at this time."
Late last night, a trespasser breached airport security at Denver Int’l Airport, deliberately scaled a perimeter fence, and ran out onto a runway.
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) May 9, 2026
The trespasser on the runway was then struck by Frontier Airlines Flight 4345 during takeoff at high speed. The pilot stopped… https://t.co/x2oVY1b0AH
The cause of the incident remained undetermined, including the engine fire. Runway 17L, where the collision with the pedestrian took place, reopened just before 11 a.m. local time, according to Denver International Airport.
The airport said the fenceline around the facility is intact, and that the person is not believed to be an airport employee. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy referred to the person as a "trespasser," and said that local law enforcement is also investigating the incident.
"No one should EVER trespass on an airport," Duffy wrote on X.
Airport officials said an incident analysis will be performed in the coming days as they review the investigation and the airport's perimeter security program.
In a release, the airport said, "DEN uses a combination of technology and performs continuous perimeter fence inspections. There is approximately 36 miles of perimeter fence at DEN."
John Filipelli contributed to this report.