Man killed after being sucked into plane engine at Denver airport

A person was killed after being struck by a Frontier Airlines plane during take-off at Denver International Airport on Friday night, according to authorities and air traffic control audio released after the incident.

The accident involved Frontier Flight 4345, which was departing for Los Angeles International Airport at around 11pm local time.

Audio from air traffic control captured the pilot informing the tower moments after halting take-off. “We just hit somebody,” the pilot said, before also reporting an engine fire.

According to officials, the individual had jumped over a perimeter fence and entered the runway area just minutes before the collision. The pilot later told controllers that “there was an individual walking across the runway.”

Smoke was later seen inside the aircraft cabin of the Airbus A321, but the Denver Fire Department quickly brought the fire under control.

All 224 passengers on board were evacuated using emergency inflatable slides as a precaution, the airline said.

Frontier Airlines expressed sorrow over the incident, saying it was “deeply saddened” by what had happened.

Airport authorities said 12 passengers suffered minor injuries during the evacuation process, while five were taken to nearby hospitals. Their conditions have not yet been disclosed.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.