Late Friday, 8 May, Frontier Airlines flight F94345 from Denver to Los Angeles reported striking a person on the runway during its take off roll. The aircraft reached a maximum speed of 127 knots before applying brakes and coming to a stop. The Airbus A321neo suffered an engine fire and smoke filled the cabin resulting in an evacuation via slides. Of the 231 people onboard, 12 reported minor injuries after the evacuation, with 5 people transported to area hospitals. The NTSB and FAA have been notified.
Frontier flight 4345 was departing Denver’s Runway 17L when it aborted its takeoff roll after reaching 127 knots at 39.85336, -104.64142. The flight crew reported the aircraft had struck a person walking across the runway.
Denver Airport statement
At approximately 11:19 p.m., Frontier Flight 4345 reported striking a pedestrian during takeoff at DEN. Emergency crews responded to the scene. Passengers were bussed to the terminal and the majority have since departed DEN on a new Frontier flight.
DEN can confirm the pedestrian jumped the perimeter fence and was hit just two minutes later while crossing the runway. The pedestrian is deceased, and is not believed to be an employee of the airport nor have they been identified.
The airport has examined the fenceline and found it to be intact. 12 people reported minor injuries and 5 of these were transported to local hospitals. Runway 17L remains closed for investigation and we expect it will be open within the next couple hours.
We are extremely saddened by this incident and express our sympathies to those involved.
Aircraft information
Frontier flight 4345 from Denver to Los Angeles was operated by an Airbus A321neo registered N646FR delivered to the airline in 2024. N646FR is powered by two Pratt and Whitney PW1133GA-JM engines.
This is a developing story and will be updated as we learn more.
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