‘We hit somebody’: Shocking audio captures Frontier pilots after deadly Denver runway collision

DENVER, COLORADO: An audio capturing the tense conversation between Frontier Airlines pilots after they realized the passenger plane had hit “someone” on the runway during takeoff is going viral online.

A late-night departure from Denver International Airport on Friday, May 9, involving a Frontier Airlines plane, turned into a horrifying emergency after a person who allegedly breached airport security was fatally struck by the aircraft.

Audio reveals Frontier pilot saying ‘we hit somebody’

The chilling audio captured the tense moments after the passenger plane struck an individual who had reportedly breached airport security and reached the runway.

Things initially began smoothly, with the tower confirming the pilot was clear for takeoff and wishing the flight crew “a good night.”

Seconds later, a pilot was heard saying he was stopping because the aircraft had hit someone.

“Tower, Frontier 4345, we’re stopping on the runway,” the Frontier pilot said, according to air traffic control audio.

“We just hit somebody. We have an engine fire.”

“I believe the aircraft struck an individual,” an airport staff member later added, revealing the person was killed in the accident.

Denver airport breach leads to deadly runway accident

The accident occurred around 11:19 PM local time on Friday, May 9, when an Airbus A321 operated by Frontier Airlines struck a pedestrian on the runway. Officials said the person had jumped into the perimeter, breaching airport security.

“DEN can confirm the pedestrian jumped the perimeter fence and was hit just two minutes later while crossing the runway,” Denver International Airport officials wrote on X.

“The pedestrian is deceased, and is not believed to be an employee of the airport nor have they been identified.”

The plane, bound for Los Angeles from Denver International Airport, aborted takeoff shortly after the accident reportedly ignited a fire in the engine, prompting an emergency response and evacuation of hundreds of passengers.

Denver airport officials said, “Passengers were bussed to the terminal and the majority have since departed DEN on a new Frontier flight.”

The accident involving a plane carrying more than 220 passengers, along with crew members, has also sparked an investigation into the matter.

Passenger says he thought everyone onboard would ‘die’

Describing the horrifying ordeal, 56-year-old Nebraskan John Anthens, who was aboard the plane with his sons, thought everyone onboard was “going to die.” Anthens also revealed thinking that he and his sons, Jacob, 30, and Levi, 19, would not survive the accident.

“When the engine blew up, I thought, ‘Oh sh-t, we’re all going to die,’” John Anthens told the New York Post.

The father said he felt the front part of the plane suddenly lift upward before hearing a loud impact sound inside the aircraft that resembled an explosion.

“I would say the majority of people didn’t know what was going on or what happened, but there was just a big explosion,” John said.

“And obviously, you hear a big explosion, people start screaming, kids are crying, and it was horrific.”

Jacob later claimed his father saw a person on the runway moments before the individual was fatally struck.

The father and sons remained in their seats as smoke from the damaged engine spread through the aircraft while crew members repeatedly instructed passengers to stay seated.