Frontier Airlines aircraft forced to make an emergency after a pedestrian on the runway: Sucked into one of the jet’s engines
Published by RawNews1st
9:56 am (5/9/2026)
A Frontier Airlines jet departing from Denver International Airport (DEN) on Friday night underwent an emergency evacuation after striking a person on the runway during its takeoff roll.
With a total of 231 passengers and crew onboard, the crew initiated a full evacuation on the runway as emergency vehicles raced to the scene. Reports suggest just one minor injury among those onboard, while the condition of the individual on the runway has yet to be confirmed.
The accident occurred as Frontier Flight 4345 — en route to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) — accelerated during its takeoff roll on Runway 17L. According to air traffic control (ATC) recordings, one of the Frontier pilots told an ATC controller that they had “just hit somebody” before declaring an engine fire. The situation deteriorated rapidly, with a full evacuation on the runway performed as engine smoke billowed into the cabin.
The person struck was at least partially consumed by one of the engines, an official confirmed to ABC News, causing a brief engine fire.
At least one minor injury to a passenger was reported and all those onboard the plane were evaluated, which is standard procedure following an evacuation, according to the official.
