DENVER: A Frontier Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles aborted takeoff at Denver International Airport late Friday after the aircraft struck a pedestrian on the runway, triggering an engine fire and an emergency evacuation, authorities said.
Denver International Airport said Frontier Flight 4345 reported hitting a person during takeoff at approximately 11:19pm local time. Airport officials confirmed that a brief engine fire broke out following the incident but was quickly extinguished by the Denver Fire Department.
According to air traffic control audio, the pilot informed controllers that the aircraft had “hit somebody” and reported an engine fire while stopping on the runway. The pilot also stated that an individual had been “walking across the runway” before the collision occurred.
Frontier Airlines said the Airbus A321 was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members when the incident occurred during departure for Los Angeles International Airport. The airline said smoke was reported inside the cabin, prompting pilots to abort takeoff and evacuate passengers using emergency slides as a precautionary measure.
Emergency crews transported passengers back to the terminal, while at least one passenger reportedly sustained minor injuries. Authorities have not officially disclosed the condition or identity of the pedestrian involved in the incident.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the incident, and runway 17L at Denver International Airport remained closed on Saturday as investigators examined the scene.