SouthernWorldwide.com – A Frontier Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles from Denver International Airport was forced to cancel its takeoff late Friday night after striking a pedestrian on the runway.
The incident occurred just after 11:15 p.m. local time. The pedestrian was on the runway when the aircraft, Frontier Flight 4345, made contact. The reason for the pedestrian’s presence on the active runway remains unknown at this time.
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Following the collision, pilots immediately halted the aircraft’s takeoff. Smoke was subsequently reported in the cabin, prompting the crew to stop the plane. In a precautionary measure, passengers were evacuated from the aircraft using emergency slides.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the 224 passengers and seven crew members on board the Airbus A321 at the time of the incident.
The Denver Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished a brief engine fire that had developed. Emergency crews then transported all passengers back to the airport terminal via bus.
The flight to Los Angeles International Airport has been rescheduled, with passengers expected to depart later Saturday morning, according to CBS News Los Angeles.
Frontier Airlines has stated that it is cooperating with the airport in an investigation into the incident. The National Transportation Safety Board has also been notified.
The exact cause of the incident, including the engine fire, is still under investigation. Runway 17L, the site of the collision, will remain closed while the investigation proceeds.
