Newly released air traffic control recordings have given the public a disturbing glimpse into the chaotic moments that unfolded on a Denver International Airport runway late on May 8, when a Frontier Airlines flight struck and fatally killed a person during takeoff.
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What Happened on the Runway?
Frontier Flight 4345, headed to Los Angeles, was accelerating down the runway when it collided with an unidentified individual who had illegally entered the airfield. Authorities later confirmed the person had climbed over the airport’s perimeter security fence just minutes before the tragedy occurred.
The Airbus A321neo was traveling at roughly 139 mph at the moment of impact. The collision caused the person to be partially drawn into one of the aircraft’s engines, which immediately caught fire. The Denver Fire Department was quickly dispatched and extinguished the blaze.
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With over 200 people on board, the crew had no choice but to halt the takeoff and order a full emergency evacuation.
Pilots Reported the Incident Over Radio
The released audio recordings captured the pilots calmly but urgently communicating with air traffic control right after the strike.
The pilot reported over the radio that the aircraft had come to a stop on the runway after hitting someone, and confirmed there was an engine fire on board. In a follow-up transmission, the pilot clarified that a person had been walking across the runway and reported 231 souls on board, including passengers and crew.
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Airport ground staff could also be heard in the recordings describing the graphic scene left on the runway in the aftermath of the collision.
Passengers Described Pure Terror
Those on board recounted a nightmare scenario unfolding around them. One passenger, John Anthens, told reporters that when the engine exploded, he feared the worst for everyone on the plane.
Another passenger, Jose Cervantes, described seeing flames near the wing and being gripped by the terrifying thought that he might not make it out alive.
Smoke quickly filled the cabin, and passengers were evacuated using emergency inflatable slides. Footage and images posted online showed people standing on the tarmac in the dark, some wrapped in emergency blankets. In total, 12 people suffered minor injuries during the evacuation, and five were taken to nearby hospitals.
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Authorities Identify the Person as a Trespasser
Officials confirmed the individual was not an airport employee and had no authorized access to the airfield. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed the incident publicly, stating that the person had deliberately scaled the perimeter fence and run onto an active runway, warning that trespassing on airport property is completely unacceptable and dangerous.
Public Reacts With Shock and Disbelief
As videos and audio clips circulated online, many people struggled to understand how someone could have ended up on an active runway in the first place. Comments ranged from genuine shock and sympathy for the flight crew and passengers to bewilderment over the circumstances leading up to the tragedy.
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Official Investigation Underway
Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched formal investigations into the incident. Frontier Airlines released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the event and confirmed the airline is fully cooperating with investigators.
