A Frontier Airlines flight had a serious incident on Friday night while taking off from Denver International Airport. The plane, heading to Los Angeles, reportedly struck a person on the runway as it was about to take off around 11:19 p.m. MT.
Fortunately, only one minor injury was reported among the 231 passengers on board. As a precaution, all passengers were evacuated and taken to terminals by emergency crews.
Shortly after the incident, the pilots reported smoke and an engine fire. Air traffic control audio captured the tense moment. The pilot could be heard saying, “We’ve got smoke on the aircraft, we’re gonna evacuate on the runway.”
The Denver Fire Department quickly responded and extinguished the fire. However, details about the person on the runway or how the situation occurred are still unclear. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified, and the runway is closed for an ongoing investigation.
This incident highlights safety concerns in air travel. According to recent data from the FAA, runway incursions—when aircraft, vehicles, or pedestrians inadvertently enter the runway—have become a growing issue. In 2022 alone, there were over 1,800 reported incursions across U.S. airports. Experts point out that better communication and stricter enforcement of safety protocols are essential to prevent such accidents.
As the investigation continues, local authorities are also involved. Denver Police are assisting, but information is limited as it’s an active case.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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