Plane Hits Pedestrian During Takeoff at Denver Airport

A person who breached security at Denver International Airport(DEN) died after being hit by an aeroplane taking off from the airport, authorities confirmed on Saturday. 

The incident involved a Frontier Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles, which aborted takeoff after the collision occurred at about 11:19 p.m. local time.

Airport officials said in a statement that the individual had climbed over the airport’s perimeter fence and entered the runway area shortly before the aircraft began takeoff.

Authorities said the victim was not believed to be an airport employee, and the person’s identity had not been confirmed as of Saturday.

“DEN can confirm that the pedestrian jumped the perimeter fence and was hit just two minutes later while crossing the runway,” the statement said.

“The pedestrian is deceased, and is not believed to be an employee of the airport nor have they been identified,” it said.

The aircraft, an Airbus A321 carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members, was evacuated after the incident, according to Frontier.

Airport officials said 12 passengers sustained minor injuries, while five were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

According to reports, the aircraft crew informed air traffic controllers that the plane had struck an individual on the runway and experienced an engine fire shortly afterward. The Denver Fire Department later confirmed that the engine fire was quickly extinguished.

United States Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in a post on X ( formerly Twitter)  said local law enforcement agencies had launched an investigation into the security breach and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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 and was struck by the plane  during takeoff at a high speed.

“No one should EVER trespass on an airport,” Duffy wrote.

Airport authorities stated that inspections conducted after the incident showed the perimeter fence remained intact.

The affected runway at Denver International Airport has been closed while investigations continue, with the National Transportation Safety Board notified of the incident.

Frontier Airlines expressed sadness over the development and said it was cooperating with airport authorities and safety investigators.