Chaotic air traffic control audio captures the exact moment pilots board planes Frontier Airlines Flight 4345 was taking off from Denver International Airport late Friday night when they realized their plane had struck a person on the runway. The Los Angeles-bound Airbus A321 aborted its takeoff shortly after the collision at around 11:19 pm local time on Friday, according to airport officials.
Denver International Airport later confirmed that the unidentified person jumped a fence and entered the runway area just minutes before the fatal incident. The person, who was not believed to be an airport employee, died at the scene, authorities said. The person has not been formally identified, officials added.
“DEN can confirm that the pedestrian jumped the perimeter fence and was struck while crossing the runway two minutes later,” the airport said in a statement.
Audio from air traffic control communications showed the exact moment the person was struck. “Tower, Frontier 4345, we’re parked on the runway. Uh, we just hit a guy…our engine is on fire,” the pilot said.
The person hit by the plane was “at least partially consumed by one of the engines,” ABC News reported, citing an unidentified official.
The impact reportedly caused a brief engine fire, causing the plane to remain grounded while emergency crews rushed to the scene. The Denver Fire Department later confirmed that the fire was extinguished shortly after the incident.
Photos circulating online showed passengers wrapped in blankets standing on the runway near the plane and using inflatable emergency slides to evacuate the plane.
Frontier Airlines said the plane was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members at the time of the incident. Airport officials confirmed that 12 passengers suffered minor injuries during the evacuation and five others were taken to local hospitals.
Read more: Spirit Airlines grounded: Heart-breaking final message from air traffic control – “I’m so grateful…”
Sean Duffy said local law enforcement and federal agencies are investigating the incident.
“Late last night, an intruder breached airport security at Denver International Airport, intentionally scaled the fence and onto the runway,” Duffy wrote on
“No one should trespass on the airport,” he added.
Airport officials said they inspected the perimeter fence after the incident and found no obvious structural problems.
The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified that Runway 17L at Denver International Airport will remain closed during the investigation.
Frontier Airlines also issued a statement following the tragedy.
“We are investigating the incident and coordinating with the airport and other security authorities to gather additional information,” the airline said. “We are deeply saddened by this incident.”
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