InfoHub Logo

A harrowing incident unfolded at Denver International Airport on the evening of May 8th, when a Frontier Airlines passenger jet struck a person on the runway during its takeoff roll. The aircraft, an Airbus A321 bound for Los Angeles, was accelerating for departure when the collision occurred, tragically resulting in the immediate death of the individual on the tarmac.

The impact caused debris to enter one of the aircraft's engines, igniting a brief fire that was quickly extinguished by emergency responders. The flight crew made the decision to abort the takeoff immediately after the incident.

Emergency Evacuation

With 224 passengers and 7 crew members on board, the situation escalated as smoke began to fill the cabin. A rapid evacuation was initiated, with passengers disembarking onto the runway via inflatable slides before being transported to the terminal by bus. Audio recordings circulating online captured the pilot's urgent communication: "We hit something... there's fire in the engine."

Investigation Underway

Preliminary reports indicate that one passenger sustained minor injuries during the evacuation and all individuals on board underwent medical evaluations. Frontier Airlines has stated they are cooperating fully with airport and safety authorities to determine the full circumstances surrounding the event. The Denver Police Department and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board are currently conducting separate investigations into the incident.

This incident highlights the critical safety protocols in place at airports and the swift response required in unforeseen emergencies.

This is reported by Infohub.kz news agency.