A Frontier Airlines plane reportedly struck a pedestrian on a runway at Denver International Airport late Friday, forcing it to abort its takeoff, a spokesperson for the service informed NCS.
Flight 4345, an Airbus A321, was departing from Denver en path to Los Angeles and carried 224 passengers and seven crew members, Frontier Airlines stated in a press release. It was scheduled to depart at 10:39 p.m. native time.
As the plane was departing, “the aircraft reportedly struck a pedestrian on the runway during takeoff,” the airline stated. “Smoke was reported in the cabin and the pilots aborted takeoff. Passengers were then safely evacuated via slides as a matter of precaution.”
The Denver airport stated the Frontier flight “reported striking a pedestrian” at roughly 11:19 p.m. native time. There was a short engine hearth that was shortly extinguished by the Denver Fire Department, the airport stated in a statement early Saturday.
Emergency crews responded to the scene and passengers have been taken to the terminal, the airport added.
NCS has reached out to the Denver Fire Department and Denver Sheriff’s Department for extra info.
Air site visitors management audio, shared by the ATC.com app, captured the second a pilot from the Frontier flight informed controllers the plane “hit somebody.” Seconds later, a controller stated emergency automobiles have been being dispatched. “There was an individual walking across the runway,” the pilot might be heard saying.
The pilot informed controllers there have been 231 folks and greater than 21,000 kilos of gasoline on board, in response to the audio clip.
Data from flight-tracking web site Flightradar24 confirmed the plane was accelerating at about 146 miles an hour at roughly 11:15 p.m. native time, earlier than it aborted takeoff.
“We are investigating this incident and gathering more information in coordination with the airport and other safety authorities,” Frontier stated. “We are deeply saddened by this event.”
Runway 17L will stay closed whereas the investigation is carried out, the airport stated.
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