A Frontier Airlines plane fatally struck a man on the tarmac as it was trying to take off for Los Angeles.
Frontier Flight 4345 was attempting to take off from the Denver International Airport when a man described as a “trespasser” ran out onto the runway. He was struck and killed by the aircraft, according to a statement released on X.
Look:
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. (1/4)
— Denver Int’l Airport (@DENAirport) May 9, 2026
“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,” they wrote. “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,” the statement continued. “We are extremely saddened by this incident and express our sympathies to those involved.”
Videos from the flight were published on X: (**Viewer discretion advised)
This is the moment Frontier Airlines Airbus A321neo flight 4345 to LAX struck a pedestrian on Runway 17L during the takeoff roll at Denver. pic.twitter.com/LZRL8OTaNj
— Turbine Traveller (@Turbinetraveler) May 9, 2026
#BREAKING: Watch as a Frontier Airlines aircraft forced to make an emergency after a pedestrian on the runway was struck and sucked into one of the jet’s engines⁰⁰
#Denver | #Colorado
Watch as horrifying footage from earlier this morning shows the moment Frontier Flight… pic.twitter.com/jvaWjzvMey
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) May 9, 2026
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy released a statement warning against the dangers of “trespassing at the airport.”
Late last night, a trespasser breached airport security at Denver Int’l Airport, deliberately scaled a perimeter fence, and ran out onto a runway.
The trespasser on the runway was then struck by Frontier Airlines Flight 4345 during takeoff at high speed. The pilot stopped… https://t.co/x2oVY1b0AH
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) May 9, 2026
“Late last night, a trespasser breached airport security at Denver Int’l Airport, deliberately scaled a perimeter fence, and ran out onto a runway. The trespasser on the runway was then struck by Frontier Airlines Flight 4345 during takeoff at high speed. The pilot stopped takeoff procedures immediately. The Frontier plane was then quickly evacuated while law enforcement and firefighters responded. Preliminary reports are 12 people were hurt, with 5 taken to the hospital. Local law enforcement handles airport security and is investigating with support from the [Federal Aviation Administration] and TSA. No one should EVER trespass on an airport,” he said.
Additional video showed passengers evacuating the flight and being told to move far away from the plane.
As usual, passengers evacuating Frontier Airlines flight 4345 were seen bringing their luggage down the emergency slides.
You can also hear the cabin crew loudly instructing passengers to move away from the aircraft immediately after evacuating. https://t.co/6SX5Mx9D1w pic.twitter.com/K1318lAozl
— Turbine Traveller (@Turbinetraveler) May 9, 2026
