Frontier A21N at Denver on May 8th 2026, gone wrong
Last Update: May 10, 2026 / 11:23:47 GMT/Zulu time
Incident Facts
Date of incident
May 8, 2026
Classification
Accident
Airline
Frontier Airlines
Flight number
F9-4345
Departure
Denver, United States
Destination
Los Angeles, United States
Aircraft Registration
N646FR
Aircraft Type
Airbus A321-Neo
ICAO Type Designator
A21N
Denver Airport reported: "Frontier Flight 4345 reported striking a pedestrian during takeoff at DEN at approximately 11:19 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026. There was a brief engine (PW1133G) fire that was promptly extinguished by the Denver Fire Dept. Emergency crews responded to the scene and bussed passengers to the terminal. 231 souls were on board. Emergency response and investigation are ongoing. The NTSB has been notified. Runway 17L will remain closed while the investigation is conducted."
The airline reported: "As flight 4345 was departing this evening from Denver International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, the aircraft reportedly struck a pedestrian on the runway during takeoff. Smoke was reported in the cabin and the pilots aborted takeoff. Passengers were then safely evacuated via slides as a matter of precaution. The Airbus A321 was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members. We are investigating this incident and gathering more information in coordination with the airport and other safety authorities. We are deeply saddened by this event."
The airline later reported the individual had leapt over a perimeter fence about 2 minutes prior to the collision.
The US Transport Secretary reported a trespasser breached airport security, deliberately scaled a perimeter fence and ran onto a runway. The aircraft was already moving at high speed.
According to local information, there may have been a gap in the airport's east perimeter fence, which was inspected by airport security on May 9th 2026 morning.
The airport later reported the perimeter fence was inspected and was found intact.
NTSB and FAA have opened investigations.
Aircraft Registration Data
Incident Facts
Date of incident
May 8, 2026
Classification
Accident
Airline
Frontier Airlines
Flight number
F9-4345
Departure
Denver, United States
Destination
Los Angeles, United States
Aircraft Registration
N646FR
Aircraft Type
Airbus A321-Neo
ICAO Type Designator
A21N
This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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