A Frontier Airlines jetliner waits for clearance to take off as high winds strafe Denver International Airport Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Denver.
David Zalubowski/AP
hide caption
toggle caption
David Zalubowski/AP
A Frontier Airlines aircraft scheduled to fly to Los Angeles on Friday night collided with and killed a pedestrian crossing the runway, as confirmed by Denver International Airport.
The incident took place at approximately 11:19 p.m. local time while the plane was preparing to depart for California.
“Smoke was reported in the cabin and the pilots aborted takeoff,” Frontier Airlines stated.
“Passengers were then safely evacuated via slides as a matter of precaution.”
The airline expressed its deep sadness over the incident.
ABC News reported that the individual hit was “at least partially consumed” by one of the plane’s engines, causing a brief fire.
According to Denver International, the individual is not believed to have been an onsite worker.
“DEN can confirm the pedestrian jumped the perimeter fence and was hit just two minutes later while crossing the runway,” the airport stated.
“The pedestrian is deceased, and is not believed to be an employee of the airport nor have they been identified. The airport has examined the fenceline and found it to be intact.”
The airport reported that 12 individuals sustained minor injuries, with five being transported to local hospitals for treatment.
The Airbus A321 was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members at the time. Most of the passengers have since continued to Los Angeles on a new Frontier flight.
