The flight was departing from Denver to Los Angeles around 11:20 p.m. Mountain Time on Friday.
DENVER — A Frontier Airlines flight was evacuated late Friday night after the crew reported hitting a pedestrian on the runway while taking off from Denver International Airport, the airport and airline said.
Frontier Flight 4345 was departing from Denver to Los Angeles around 11:20 p.m. Friday. Frontier said smoke was reported in the cabin after the person was hit, and the pilots aborted the takeoff. The airport confirmed a “brief engine fire” that was put out by Denver firefighters.
Passengers were safely evacuated using slides, Frontier said. Emergency crews took them by bus to the terminal. Frontier said the flight was rescheduled and would take off Saturday morning.
The airport said the runway will be closed while the investigation is conducted.
The plane, an Airbus A321, was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members, Frontier said.
“We are investigating this incident and gathering more information in coordination with the airport and other safety authorities,” the airline said. “We are deeply saddened by this event.”
This story is developing and may be updated as information becomes available.