Moment When US Plane Hit 'Trespasser' At Denver Airport Runway | Video

Last Updated:May 11, 2026, 16:01 IST

CCTV footage shows trespasser crossing Denver International Airport runway before being struck by Frontier Airlines jet and killed, US authorities launch investigation.

Days after an alleged trespasser died after being hits by a US plane at the Denver International Airport, a video has emerged showing the victim walking calmly across the runway.

The incident took place on May 9 when a Frontier Airlines Flight 4345, an Airbus A321, was taking off from Denver en route to Los Angeles. Carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members, it was scheduled to depart at 10.39 pm (local time).

In a post on Facebook, the Denver airport authorities said: “One person died after getting hit by a Frontier Airlines while running on the runway after jumping the perimeter fence, Denver International Airport said on Saturday."

“DEN can confirm the pedestrian jumped the perimeter fence and was hit just two minutes later while crossing the runway. 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," they said.

New York Post cited the security video released by the City and County of Denver showing the horrifying moment the person was struck while walking on the runway.

In the video, the victim could be seen walking across with little urgency. They appeared to be perfectly aligned with one of the plane’s engines when part of their upper body was sucked inside, NY Post cited the footage. The plane was reportedly moving at 139mph at the time of the incident.

According to a report by KHOU 11, the incident happened about two minutes after the individual had jumped the fence.

Following the incident, transportation secretary Sean Duffy pointed out that the “trespasser breached security" and said: “No one should EVER trespass on an airport".

Meanwhile, NY Post quoted one of the passengers John Anthens, who was on the plane with his sons, saying that he was looking out the window when he saw “the legs of a human spinning around in the engine."

“The majority of people didn’t know what was going on or what happened, but there was just a big explosion and, obviously, when you hear a big explosion, people start screaming, kids are crying and it was horrific," he said.

He further said that the nose of the plane jerked upward due to the impact while a “bomb"-like explosion rattled the cabin.

Moments later of the crash, the engine burst into flames. “Smoke was reported in the cabin and the pilots aborted takeoff. Passengers were then safely evacuated via slides as a matter of precaution," CNN quoted Frontier Airlines saying.

The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have launched an investigation into the incident.

News world Moment When US Plane Hit 'Trespasser' At Denver Airport Runway | Video

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