Man killed by Frontier Airlines jet during takeoff at Denver airport, United States.
NEWS:
A 41-year-old man was killed after entering an active runway and being struck by a Frontier Airlines passenger jet during takeoff at Denver International Airport, Colorado, on May 8, 2026. The collision caused an engine fire, forced the pilots to abort takeoff and led to an emergency evacuation that left 12 people injured.
Denver's chief medical examiner identified the man as Michael Mott and ruled his death a suicide during a May 12 news conference. His cause of death was determined to be multiple blunt and sharp force injuries.
The aircraft, operating as Frontier Airlines Flight 4345, was accelerating along Runway 17L at approximately 00:11:19 p.m. local time when it struck Mott. The Airbus A321 was scheduled to fly from Denver to Los Angeles International Airport.
Security footage released by airport officials captures the fatal incident. The black-and-white recording shows a person approaching the runway and beginning to cross it at a walking pace. The aircraft enters the frame from the left, the person disappears from view and flames become visible around one of the engines.
Authorities confirmed that Mott was struck at the aircraft's engine intake. The resulting fire was extinguished by Denver firefighters.
Security alarm detected activity before the collision
Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington provided additional details about the security breach during the May 12 briefing.
According to Washington, ground detection sensors triggered an alarm at approximately 00:11:10 p.m. An airport operator reviewing the alert noticed a herd of deer near the perimeter fence but did not initially identify the trespasser.
The surveillance camera alternated between the animals and the individual. Ditches and uneven terrain also temporarily obstructed the operator's view.
Investigators determined that Mott had crossed an eight-foot perimeter fence topped with barbed wire. Washington estimated that the breach took approximately 15 seconds and that roughly two minutes passed between Mott clearing the fence and the collision.
The location was approximately two miles from the airport's main terminal.
Airport personnel did not intercept Mott before he reached the runway. Washington said officials received notification from the Federal Aviation Administration after the aircraft struck him.
The airport subsequently inspected the affected section of fencing and found it intact.
Denver International Airport covers approximately 53 square miles and maintains 36 miles of perimeter fencing. Its security system includes surveillance cameras, ground detection technology and patrols.
Washington acknowledged that the terrain near the eastern perimeter presented visibility challenges. The airport announced an after-action review covering its security procedures and the events preceding the collision.
Engine fire forces evacuation of 231 people
Frontier Flight 4345 was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members.
Following the collision, the pilots stopped the aircraft on the runway. Smoke was reported inside the passenger cabin, and the crew initiated an emergency evacuation using the aircraft's inflatable slides.
Passengers were transported back to the airport terminal by bus.
Twelve people aboard the aircraft reported minor injuries, most of which occurred during the evacuation. Five were transported to hospitals. By the morning of May 12, four had been discharged.
Passenger accounts described smoke entering the cabin, difficulty breathing and confusion as the aircraft stopped and the emergency evacuation began.
The affected runway remained closed for several hours while emergency personnel secured the scene and investigators documented evidence. It reopened on the morning of May 9.
Washington praised the pilots, cabin crew and emergency responders for their handling of the incident.
Medical examiner confirms suicide ruling
Chief Medical Examiner Sterling McLaren confirmed Mott's identity through fingerprint analysis and classified his death as suicide based on the medical examination and circumstances documented during the investigation.
Investigators had not recovered a suicide note as of the May 12 briefing.
Police also had not located Mott's vehicle or personal belongings near the airport. Authorities were still establishing how he had reached the remote section of the perimeter.
Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said investigators were contacting people who knew Mott, including friends and relatives, to gather further information about his circumstances.
Officials confirmed that Mott was not an airport employee.
The National Transportation Safety Board said the circumstances surrounding his death fell outside its investigative jurisdiction. The agency was separately collecting information about the emergency evacuation to determine whether it met the criteria for a federal transportation safety investigation.
The Denver Police Department continued handling the death investigation alongside airport personnel and other authorities.
Passengers seek more than $10 million in damages
The incident also prompted potential legal action against the City and County of Denver.
On May 13, attorneys representing passengers from Flight 4345 announced a notice of claim seeking damages expected to exceed $10 million collectively.
Ramos Law and DJC Law alleged that failures involving perimeter security, intrusion detection and communication with air traffic control contributed to the incident.
Their notice raised questions about why runway operations were not halted after the security breach and requested the preservation of surveillance recordings, sensor data, communications and internal reports.
The allegations represent the passengers' legal position and do not establish that the airport or its personnel were negligent.
Denver's City Attorney's Office declined to comment when approached about the proposed legal action.
The airport's announced review includes examining the security response and identifying possible improvements to perimeter monitoring.
News story written by DarkGore.
For more on this case:
If you want to know more about this case, just visit the following URL: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/passenger-fatally-struck-denver-airport-runway-died-suicide-officials-rcna344688
