Frontier Airlines Flight Strikes Pedestrian on Denver Runway During Takeoff

A Frontier Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles struck a pedestrian on a runway at Denver International Airport on Friday night, prompting pilots to abort takeoff as the aircraft experienced an engine fire. m. on May 8 when Frontier Flight 4345 reported hitting a person while departing on Runway 17L.

Pilots immediately stopped the plane on the runway and reported smoke in the cabin along with the engine fire, according to air traffic control audio obtained by multiple outlets. All 224 passengers and seven crew members evacuated the Airbus A321 using emergency slides.

Emergency crews responded, extinguished the brief engine fire and bused everyone to the terminal. At least one passenger sustained a minor injury and all those on board were being evaluated as standard procedure after such an evacuation.

m. on Friday, May 8, 2026. There was a brief engine fire that was promptly extinguished by firefighters at the scene. Emergency response and investigation are ongoing. The NTSB has been notified and Runway 17L will remain closed while the investigation is conducted, the airport added.

In a statement, the company said it was investigating the incident and gathering more information in coordination with the airport and other safety authorities. The company added that it was deeply saddened by this event.

“Frontier 4345, we're stopping on the runway. Reports of smoke in the cabin contributed to the decision to evacuate, the airline said. The Denver Police Department is assisting with the investigation but has not released additional information as the probe remains active. Details about the pedestrian who was struck have not been disclosed. The flight was carrying 231 people total when the incident occurred. No serious injuries to those on board have been reported beyond the one minor passenger injury noted by officials. This is a developing story as authorities continue to examine how the individual came to be on the active runway during the departure of a commercial jet.”