In a harrowing turn of events at Denver International Airport, chilling audio captures the moments following a tragic accident where a Frontier Airlines plane struck a pedestrian on the runway. The pilots’ voices, filled with shock, reveal the gravity of what transpired during Flight 4345’s takeoff.
The incident unfolded on a Friday evening when the aircraft collided with an individual who had ventured onto the runway, resulting in a devastating scene. Airport officials reported that the victim had managed to breach airport security by scaling a fence and unexpectedly ran onto the runway at approximately 11 p.m.
Shortly before the accident, air traffic control had issued a warning to pilots about “a party walking on the runway.” This critical alert came just two minutes prior to the collision, as revealed in the newly released audio.
Despite having clearance for takeoff, the Frontier flight, bound for Los Angeles, was forced to abruptly halt its rapid acceleration as the tragedy unfolded.
The pilot’s voice on the air traffic control recording conveys the alarming sequence of events: “Tower, Frontier 4345, we’re stopping on the runway. Uh, we just hit somebody… we have an engine fire,” he reported, capturing the chaos and urgency of the moment.
‘Tower, Frontier 4345, we’re stopping on the runway. Uh, we just hit somebody… we have an engine fire,’ the pilot said, according to air traffic control audio.
He recalled seeing the ‘individual walking across the runway.’
‘I do have limbs on the runway, I believe the aircraft has struck an individual,’ the air traffic control employee confirmed during flight communications, first reported by TMZ.
At least 12 passengers from the aircraft (pictured) were treated for minor injuries
A pedestrian was struck by one of the plane’s engines. Passengers recalled seeing the victim’s legs spinning around
‘I’ve got what appears to be a deceased person on the runway,’ the employee added.
The unidentified victim was partially stuck in one of the airplane’s engines, causing the cabin to fill with smoke.
‘We’ve got smoke in the aircraft, we’re going to evacuate on the runway,’ the pilot calmly told air traffic control.
Emergency personnel were quickly called to the scene as those aboard the Airbus A321neo braced for evacuation.
Passengers and crew evacuated the plane using emergency slides, though some alleged sitting on the plane for three minutes before being evacuated to safety.
There were at least 12 minor injuries among those on the aircraft and five people were transported to local hospitals.
The rest of the passengers were bused to the terminal and have since left on a new Frontier flight.
There were 224 passengers on board the plane.
A Frontier Airlines flight collided with a pedestrian during takeoff at Denver International Airport on Friday night
Passengers escaped to safety by sliding down the emergency slide of the aircraft after the collision on Runway 17L
One passenger described watching the ‘legs of a human’ spin around in the engine as the cabin filled with smoke, reported the New York Post.
‘The majority of people didn’t know what was going on or what happened,’ said Minnesota father John Athens.
‘But there was just a big explosion and, obviously, when you hear a big explosion, people start screaming, kids are crying and it was horrific.’
Blood was visible in the impacted engine of the Airbus A321, as seen in photos circulating on social media that the Daily Mail has chosen not to publish.
Denver International Airport released a statement confirming that a person ‘jumped the perimeter fence’ near the runway and was hit two minutes later at 11.19pm local time.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made a statement on social media condemning the acts of the victim.
‘Late last night, a trespasser breached airport security at Denver Int’l Airport, deliberately scaled a perimeter fence, and ran out onto a runway,’ he said.
‘The trespasser on the runway was then struck by Frontier Airlines Flight 4345 during takeoff at high speed. The pilot stopped takeoff procedures immediately.’
‘Tower, Frontier 4345, we’re stopping on the runway. Uh, we just hit somebody… we have an engine fire,’ the pilot was heard saying on air traffic control audio. Denver International Airport is pictured in a file photo
‘No one should EVER trespass on an airport,’ Duffy added.
Runway 17L, where the collision occurred, shut down following the crash. It reopened before 11am on Saturday.
The Denver International Airport confirmed Saturday that it was not an employee who had been struck and there were no signs of forced entry onto the runway.
‘The airport has examined the fenceline and found it to be intact,’ it wrote on social media.
‘We are extremely saddened by this incident and express our sympathies to those involved,’ the statement concluded.
Frontier and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating. The National Transportation Safety Board is also aware of the incident.
