A Frontier Airlines aircraft, flight F9175, struck an individual on the runway at Denver International Airport during its takeoff sequence. The incident, which occurred at approximately 11:19 PM local time on Friday, led to an engine fire and necessitated an immediate emergency evacuation of all passengers. The flight was scheduled to depart for Los Angeles.
Following the collision, the flight crew reported hitting a pedestrian. Subsequent to the impact, one of the aircraft's engines reportedly caught fire. Emergency services were promptly mobilised to the scene to manage the situation and ensure the safety of those on board.
All passengers and crew members were safely evacuated from the plane. The airport authorities have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding how a person came to be on an active runway during an aircraft's takeoff. Such incidents are extremely rare and trigger rigorous safety protocols.
The affected aircraft, an Airbus A320 series, would typically undergo a thorough inspection and assessment by aviation safety experts and engineers before any potential return to service. Disruptions to airport operations, while not immediately detailed, are common following such significant incidents as investigations proceed.
This event highlights the stringent safety measures in place at international airports, even when unforeseen circumstances occur. The focus will now turn to understanding the sequence of events that led to the individual being on the runway and the subsequent impact with the departing aircraft.