Frontier Airlines Plane Strikes Person on Denver Runway, Catches Fire, Forcing Emergency Evacuation

The pilot of Flight 4345 reported hitting somebody and declared an engine fire. "We just hit somebody," the pilot said. " The deceased climbed over the perimeter fence and reached Runway 17L roughly two minutes before impact, according to Denver International Airport.

Frontier Airlines said the victim jumped over the perimeter fence two minutes before impact. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the trespasser deliberately scaled a perimeter fence and ran onto the runway. Duffy added that the aircraft hit the person at high speed.

An official confirmed to ABC News that the person was at least partially pulled into one of the engines. The deceased does not appear to be an airport employee. A later inspection of the fenceline turned up no gaps.

Security crews checked the east perimeter for breaches on the morning of May 10, 2026. No gaps were found in the fence. All 224 passengers were safely evacuated via inflatable emergency slides. Passengers were bused to the terminal after evacuation.

Denver Fire Department extinguished the fire within the cabin. Twelve people reported minor injuries. Five passengers were transported to nearby hospitals. The majority of passengers later departed Denver on a new Frontier flight.

Passenger Jose Cervantes felt the aircraft tilt up before hearing a thud. "I looked to my right, and I just see the right wing just on fire and like, it’s exploding," Cervantes said. He said the cabin filled with smoke and he feared burning alive.

Video posted to social media captured the sound of a loud bang as the engine exploded and passengers screaming. Clips circulating online showed bloody residue inside the engine housing. The NTSB, FAA, and Denver police are investigating the incident.