Frontier plane kills fence-jumping pedestrian during Denver takeoff

DENVER – A Frontier airlines plane taking off for Los Angeles late May 8 struck and killed a person who jumped a perimeter fence and was crossing the runway, according to airport and airline officials.

The Airbus A321 had begun accelerating down the runway for takeoff when the pilots reported to air traffic controllers that they'd hit someone, officials said. The pilots aborted takeoff as smoke began filling the cabin, and passengers evacuated the plane via slides, Frontier Airlines said in a statement to USA TODAY.

The identity of the pedestrian was not immediately released. Airport officials said the as-yet-unidentified person had jumped the security fence two minutes earlier. Federal officials confirmed they have begun an investigation and called the pedestrian a "trespasser."

"We are deeply saddened by this event," Frontier said in a statement. "We are investigating this incident and gathering more information in coordination with the airport and other safety authorities."

The plane had 224 passengers and seven crew members aboard, all of whom were safely evacuated. Twelve people reported minor injuries, and five of them were transported to local hospitals for treatment, airport officials said. The runway remains closed for investigation.

Denver airport officials said they have requested assistance from the National Transportation Safety Board. The Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating.

"The pedestrian is deceased, and is not believed to be an employee of the airport nor have they been identified. The airport has examined the fenceline and found it to be intact," airport officials said. "We are extremely saddened by this incident and express our sympathies to those involved."

In a social-media statement, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy referred to the pedestrian as a "trespasser" and said federal investigators are working with Denver police, who are responsible for airport perimeter security.

"No one should ever trespass on an airport," he said.

The Denver airport is the nation's fourth busiest, and the 10th busiest in the world, and last year it served 82.4 million passengers.