Person who jumped perimeter fence is hit and killed by Frontier plane during takeoff on Denver runway, airport says
Frontier Plane Hits Person at Denver Airport During Takeoff
Person who jumped perimeter fence is hit – A pedestrian who had jumped the perimeter fence was fatally struck by a Frontier Airlines aircraft during takeoff at Denver International Airport late Friday, the airport confirmed. The incident occurred at approximately 11:19 p.m. local time, with the individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, reportedly entering the restricted area moments before the plane departed. The flight, scheduled for 10:39 p.m. and destined for Los Angeles, involved an Airbus A321 carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members. The person who jumped the perimeter fence was not identified as an airport employee, according to the press release.
Emergency Response and Runway Closure
The collision triggered an immediate emergency response, with Denver Fire Department crews swiftly addressing a brief engine fire. The airport temporarily closed the runway, allowing passengers to be evacuated via slides as a precaution. The person who jumped the perimeter fence was likely in the vicinity of the aircraft during its takeoff roll, leading to the tragic outcome. The runway was reopened within minutes, minimizing disruption to the airport’s operations.
“Smoke was reported in the cabin, and the pilots aborted takeoff,” the airport noted in its statement. This decision prioritized passenger safety, ensuring the aircraft came to a stop before the situation escalated. Emergency responders worked quickly to stabilize the scene, and the person who jumped the perimeter fence was pronounced dead at the site. The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of security measures during nighttime operations.
Passenger Experiences and Aftermath
“I looked to my right, and I just see the right wing just on fire and like, it’s exploding,” recounted Jose Cervantes, a passenger on the flight. He described the moment the plane tilted upward, followed by a loud thud that signaled the collision. “The aircraft lands back down, and they kind of like swivel side to side, and then they stop, shut it off right away, and then the cabin starts to fill up with smoke.” Cervantes, who was aboard the plane, said he initially feared for his life. “I thought I was going to burn to death,” he said, emphasizing the shock of the event.
Cervantes shared that his mother, also a passenger, sustained minor injuries during the evacuation. “My mom actually ended up going straight down the slide and like locking her knee when she hit the floor,” he said. “She doesn’t have any fractures, but we still gotta take her to the ER.” The trauma of the incident left both Cervantes and his mother shaken, highlighting the unexpected and dangerous nature of the collision. Other passengers opted to delay their travel, reflecting the psychological impact of the event.
Security Measures and Investigative Focus
The airport stated that the perimeter fence, which spans 36 miles, remained intact at the time of the incident. However, the person who jumped the perimeter fence managed to enter the runway area, underscoring a potential lapse in security protocols. While the fence itself was not breached, the event has prompted an “incident analysis” to evaluate how such an occurrence could happen. The airport uses video surveillance and advanced technology to monitor the perimeter continuously, yet the person who jumped the perimeter fence bypassed these systems.
Authorities are investigating the sequence of events to determine how the person who jumped the perimeter fence reached the runway. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local law enforcement to assess the situation. The FAA has initiated its own probe, focusing on the operational procedures that led to the collision. Meanwhile, the NTSB clarified its investigation will center on the evacuation process to ensure safety protocols were followed.
Audio from air traffic control captured the pilot’s report of the collision, confirming the incident. The person who jumped the perimeter fence’s presence on the runway during takeoff has sparked discussions about enhanced security measures and the need for stricter adherence to airport rules. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on understanding the circumstances that allowed the person who jumped the perimeter fence to access the runway so close to the departure time.
