Aborted takeoff Archives - Aviation Today

Denver, United States: A Frontier Airlines Airbus A321neo struck and killed a trespasser while departing Denver International Airport late on May 8, triggering an aborted takeoff, an engine fire, smoke inside the cabin, and an emergency evacuation that left 12 people with minor injuries, according to airport authorities, Frontier Airlines, the FAA and the NTSB. The aircraft, operating as Frontier Airlines Flight 4345 from Denver International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members when the incident occurred at approximately 11:19 p.m. local time on Runway 17L. Officials said the unidentified individual breached the airport perimeter fence and entered the active runway area shortly before the collision. Denver International Airport confirmed the person was not believed to be an airport employee. Authorities stated the trespasser was struck by the aircraft during the takeoff roll and was pronounced dead at the scene. Frontier Airlines said the pilots immediately rejected the takeoff after reporting that the aircraft had struck a person on the runway. The impact resulted in a brief engine fire and smoke entering the cabin, prompting an emergency evacuation using inflatable slides. Official figures released by Frontier Airlines and cited by the NTSB confirmed that 12 occupants sustained minor injuries during the evacuation. Five people were transported to local hospitals for treatment, while the remaining injured passengers were treated at the airport. No fatalities or serious injuries were reported among passengers or crew. “We are gathering information about the emergency evacuation to determine if it meets criteria for a safety investigation,” NTSB spokesperson Sarah Taylor Sulick said early Sunday, adding that the agency might have more details in a few hours. A spokesman for the Denver Police Department said Sunday the investigation into the incident was ongoing and that the identity of the person on the runway will be confirmed and released by the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner. The CEO of the Denver airport, Phil Washington, said he knows there are questions still to be answered. “As this is an active investigation with numerous other agencies involved, it is going to take some time as we are still confirming what information we can share at this time,” Washington said in a statement. “This was a horrible and preventable tragedy that has affected many due to the actions of one person who apparently trespassed at an airport and lost their life as a result.” Flight tracking data reviewed by Flightradar24 showed the Airbus A321neo accelerated to approximately 127 knots before braking heavily and stopping on the runway. Emergency crews responded immediately and extinguished the engine fire. Passengers were later transported back to the terminal by bus, and Frontier arranged an alternate flight for most travelers. The affected runway remained closed for several hours before reopening Saturday morning. Federal authorities have launched multiple investigations into both the runway incursion and the emergency evacuation process. The National Transportation Safety Board said it is gathering information regarding the evacuation procedures, while the Federal Aviation Administration, local law enforcement and airport security officials are also examining how the individual gained access to the restricted airside area. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the incident as a serious security breach and stressed that unauthorized access to airport movement areas poses extreme danger to both aircraft operations and public safety.

Frontier Flight Kills Trespasser During Denver Takeoff, 12 Hurt In Evacuation

Aviation Today News Desk / May 11, 2026

Denver, United States: A Frontier Airlines Airbus A321neo struck and killed a trespasser while departing Denver International Airport late on […]

Brussels, Belgium: A Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Airbus A320neo operating flight SK2590 from Brussels Airport (BRU) to Copenhagen (CPH) narrowly avoided a serious runway incident on Thursday evening after pilots inadvertently initiated a takeoff roll on a taxiway rather than the designated runway, aviation tracking data and eyewitness reports confirm. The flight, cleared for departure from Runway 07R shortly after 21:00 UTC, taxied toward the runway but instead turned onto a parallel taxiway (identified as E1/V1) and began accelerating as if commencing a normal departure. Flightradar24 data shows the aircraft reached approximately 107 knots (around 198 km/h) before the crew recognised the error and aborted the takeoff, applying heavy braking and reverse thrust to bring the aircraft to a stop near the end of the taxiway and adjacent grassy area. All 135 passengers and crew disembarked safely, and there are no reported injuries. Airport fire and rescue services assisted passengers, who were later rebooked onto alternate flights to Copenhagen. SAS’s Head of Communications, Alexandra Lindgren Kaoukji, confirmed the incident to Danish broadcaster TV 2, stating that the flight from Brussels to Copenhagen was canceled due to an “irregularity.” She confirmed the airline’s account of an aborted departure and that passengers were accommodated on subsequent services. Belgian civil aviation authorities have initiated a formal investigation into the circumstances that led to the aircraft taking the wrong surface for departure. Investigators will review air traffic control communications, flight crew procedures, and airport surface signage and lighting, particularly given the complex layout of taxiways and runways at one of Europe’s busiest hubs. The taxiway departures are rare and emphasise the importance of rigorous cross-checks by flight crews and air traffic controllers to ensure correct runway alignment before high-speed acceleration. Any final determinations about human factors or procedural issues will await the outcome of the official investigation

Incidents

SAS A320neo Narrowly Avoids Runway Incident After Taxiway Takeoff Attempt In Brussels

Aviation Today News Desk / February 6, 2026

Brussels, Belgium: A Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Airbus A320neo operating flight SK2590 from Brussels Airport (BRU) to Copenhagen (CPH) narrowly avoided

Denver,United States: An American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 bound for Miami was evacuated on the runway at Denver International Airport on Saturday after a main landing gear component overheated and caught fire moments before takeoff. Flight 3023, carrying 173 passengers and six crew members, had begun its takeoff roll at around 2:45 p.m. MDT when pilots detected an abnormal vibration and immediately initiated an emergency stop. Witnesses onboard reported hearing a loud bang as the aircraft decelerated sharply, veering slightly to the left before smoke and flames appeared from the main gear area. Emergency slides were deployed as firefighters rushed to the aircraft and extinguished what officials later described as a brake fire caused by a blown tire during heavy braking. American Airlines said the evacuation was conducted out of “an abundance of caution” and confirmed that one passenger sustained a minor injury during the slide evacuation and was transported to a hospital. Five others were evaluated on the scene and released. Passenger video and social media posts show travelers sliding to safety, with some carrying hand luggage and even children during the evacuation a move criticized by aviation safety experts who warned that removing baggage in such situations can slow evacuations and pose injury risks. “I felt the plane shaking violently, and then I saw smoke outside my window,” said Shay Armistead, 17, a passenger seated near the wing. “When people started screaming, I grabbed my bag without even thinking looking back, it was chaos.” The Denver Fire Department confirmed the fire was quickly extinguished and posed no further threat. The airport temporarily issued a ground stop between 2 p.m. and just after 3 p.m., leading to more than 240 delayed flights before normal operations resumed later in the evening. American Airlines deployed a replacement aircraft, and affected passengers reached Miami later that night. The aircraft involved in the incident has been grounded pending inspection and maintenance checks. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has opened a formal investigation to determine the exact cause of the mechanical failure and review the emergency response. This incident has reignited discussion around passenger behavior during emergencies, particularly concerning attempts to retrieve carry-on bags during evacuations. Safety advocates have urged airlines and regulators to improve public awareness of evacuation protocols, emphasizing that seconds can determine survival in runway fire scenarios. The aircraft, delivered to American Airlines in 2022, is part of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet, which has undergone intense scrutiny in recent years following separate safety controversies. There is no indication, however, that Saturday’s incident is related to broader fleet issues. No significant damage to airport infrastructure was reported, and Denver International Airport resumed normal operations by late afternoon. The FAA investigation is ongoing, and American Airlines has pledged full cooperation.

Incidents

American Airlines Evacuated on Runway After Landing Gear Fire During Takeoff in Denver

Aviation Today News Desk / July 28, 2025

Denver, United States: An American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 bound for Miami was evacuated on the runway at Denver

Aborted takeoff

Frontier Flight Kills Trespasser During Denver Takeoff, 12 Hurt In Evacuation

SAS A320neo Narrowly Avoids Runway Incident After Taxiway Takeoff Attempt In Brussels

American Airlines Evacuated on Runway After Landing Gear Fire During Takeoff in Denver

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