US Plane Hits Pedestrian At Denver Airport's Runway, Takeoff Aborted

A US plane has reportedly hit a pedestrian on a runway at Denver International Airport forcing it to abort its takeoff.

The incident took place on late Friday when a Frontier Airlines Flight 4345, an Airbus A321, was taking off from Denver en route to Los Angeles. Carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members, it was scheduled to depart at 10.39 pm (local time).

CNN quoted the company saying that when the plane was departing, “the aircraft reportedly struck a pedestrian on the runway during takeoff”. “Smoke was reported in the cabin and the pilots aborted takeoff. Passengers were then safely evacuated via slides as a matter of precaution,” it said.

ATC communication between Frontier Airlines cockpit of flight 4345 and Tower during the incident

of hitting an unidentified person on the runway 17L at Denver International Airport today.#incident #safety #aviation #security https://t.co/TBS9FXcjJQ pic.twitter.com/wnUW5uordG

— FL360aero (@fl360aero) May 9, 2026

According to the Denver airport, the Frontier flight “reported striking a pedestrian” at approximately 11.19 pm local time. The engine fire was quickly extinguished.

CNN Air traffic control audio, shared by the ATC.com app, captured the moment a pilot from the Frontier flight told controllers the plane “hit somebody.” Seconds later, a controller said emergency vehicles were being dispatched. “There was an individual walking across the runway,” the pilot can be heard saying.

“We are investigating this incident and gathering more information in coordination with the airport and other safety authorities,” Frontier said. “We are deeply saddened by this event.”