A Frontier Airlines plane fatally struck a pedestrian as it took off from Denver International Airport on Friday. However, the now-released audio recording captured the moments after the pedestrian was hit, CBS News reported Saturday.
According to the audio from ATC.com, everything started smoothly, with the tower confirming that the pilot was ready for takeoff. However, 30 seconds later, Frontier’s pilot said he was “stopping on the runway.” The pilot added, “We just hit someone. Our engine is on fire.”
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Air traffic control personnel provided instructions on how the aircraft could safely exit the runway. When asked for more details, the pilot said “an individual went over the runway”. About 40 seconds later, the pilot reported “smoke in the plane” and said he was going to evacuate the plane on the runway.
Here’s what happened at the Denver airport
According to statements issued by Frontier Airlines and Denver Airport, as the Airbus A321 took off from Denver on Friday evening for Los Angeles, a person crossed the runway around 11:19 p.m. A pedestrian was killed in the collision, the airport said, adding that an unidentified person jumped an airport fence and was struck two minutes later while crossing the runway.
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According to the airline, smoke was reported in the cabin after the crash and the pilots canceled takeoff and grounded the plane. Passengers were evacuated using chutes and taken back to the terminal.
While no major injuries were reported among the 224 passengers and seven crew members, the airport said at least 12 people suffered minor injuries, with five of them taken to local hospitals. The Denver airport also said most passengers have since departed Denver on the new Frontier flight.
A video taken by a passenger on board the plane showed smoke in the plane’s cabin. Passengers and flight crew used inflatable slides to evacuate the aircraft. The images also appear to show blood on the plane’s engine.
Denver Airport issued a statement
Denver Airport addressed the incident in a series of posts on its social media account. The airport wrote: “A statement from DEN regarding the incident this evening: Frontier Flight 4345 reported a collision with a pedestrian during takeoff on DEN on Friday, May 8, 2026 at approximately 11:19 p.m. There was a brief engine fire that was immediately extinguished by the Denver Fire Department.”
Another post said: “Emergency crews responded to the scene and transported passengers to the terminal. There were 231 people on board. Emergency response and investigation underway. NTSB notified. Runway 17L will remain closed pending investigation.”
Passengers recount the ordeal
A passenger named John Anthens, who was on the plane with his son Jacob, told CBS News that he was sitting near the window above the wing when he witnessed a spark, followed by what he described as a large explosion in the wing and engine area.
Anthens also reported that shortly after the explosion, the plane was filled with terrified and screaming passengers along with thick smoke. After getting off the plane, Anthens estimated that passengers had to wait on the runway in cold weather for about an hour before buses arrived to take them back to the terminal.
An investigation is underway
Frontier Airlines has launched an investigation into the incident, and the National Transportation Safety Board has also been notified. The cause of the accident, including the engine fire, remained unclear. Lane 17L, where the pedestrian collided, will remain closed for the investigation and is expected to reopen Saturday.
