Frontier Airlines plane crash kills pedestrian on Denver airport runway
A Frontier Airlines jet took off Friday night when it struck and killed a man walking on the runway at Denver International Airport, Denver Police said.
Scripps News – KMGH Denver
DENVER – A Frontier Airlines jet taking off for Los Angeles late Friday jumped a perimeter fence and struck and killed a person crossing the runway, airport and airline officials said.
Officials said the pilots alerted air traffic controllers that the Airbus A321 had “hit someone” as it accelerated down the runway for takeoff. Frontier Airlines said in a statement to USA TODAY that the pilot aborted takeoff and passengers evacuated the plane using a slide as smoke began to fill the cabin.
The identity of the pedestrian was not immediately released. Airport officials said an as-yet-unidentified person jumped over a security barrier two minutes earlier. Federal authorities confirmed they had launched an investigation and called the pedestrians “trespassers.”
Frontier said in a statement that it was “deeply saddened by this incident.” “We are investigating this incident and working with airport and other safety authorities to gather further information.”
There were 224 passengers and seven crew members on board the plane, all of whom were safely evacuated. According to airport officials, 12 people suffered minor injuries, and five of them were taken to a local hospital for treatment. The runway remains closed for investigation.
Denver airport officials said they have requested assistance from the NTSB. The FAA is also investigating.
“The pedestrian is deceased and is not believed to be an airport employee and has not been identified. The airport inspected the fence and found it to be intact,” an airport official said. “We are deeply saddened by this incident and extend our condolences to those involved.”
In a statement on social media, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the pedestrian a “trespasser” and said federal law enforcement officials were working with Denver police, who are responsible for security around the airport.
“No one should be allowed to enter the airport,” he said.
Denver Airport is the fourth busiest airport in the United States and the 10th busiest in the world, serving 82.4 million passengers last year.
