health
Pedestrian fatally hit by Frontier airplane departing Denver for Los Angeles, flight canceled after engine fire
Updated on: May 9, 2026 / 7:42 AM MDT / CBS Colorado
TL;DR
- A Frontier Airlines plane struck and killed a pedestrian on a Denver runway around 11:19 p.m.
- The collision occurred during takeoff for Los Angeles, causing an engine fire and smoke in the cabin.
- The pilot aborted the takeoff, and passengers were evacuated using slides.
- No major injuries were reported among the 224 passengers and seven crew members, but 12 people reported minor injuries.
- The pedestrian had jumped the airport's perimeter fence and was not believed to be an airport employee.
- The incident is being investigated by Frontier Airlines and the National Transportation Safety Board.
- Runway 17L, where the incident occurred, was closed for the investigation.