Man killed on Denver Airport runway after intrusion, authorities say deceased intended suicide
A 41-year-old man was killed at Denver International Airport after intruding onto a runway and being struck by a departing aircraft. Authorities have ruled the death a suicide, raising concerns about airport security protocols.
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- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 14:31
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 15:02 (30 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 14, 2026 at 03:10 (12h 8m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Fort Collins, Colorado, 12th综合外电報導) A 41-year-old man died after a fiery collision with an aircraft at Denver International Airport. Authorities said today that the man intended to commit suicide when he climbed over a remote fence and walked onto the runway.
Sterling McLaren, chief medical examiner for the City and County of Denver, stated that no suicide note was found at the scene of the Denver International Airport incident, and officials ruled the cause of death as suicide based on the autopsy results. She did not provide further details.
The Associated Press reported that the collision involving a Frontier Airlines passenger plane caused an engine fire, forcing passengers to evacuate. Philip Washington, the airport's CEO, said 12 people sustained minor injuries, and 5 were taken to the hospital, 4 of whom have since been discharged.
Black and white video footage released by the airport, filmed from a distance, showed a tiny figure swinging his arms as he walked towards the runway. Seconds later, the plane could be seen speeding past, its right engine striking the man and catching fire upon impact. Passengers were evacuated via emergency slides.
Airport CEO Washington said that minutes before the man climbed the fence, a ground radar system in that area activated and triggered an alarm. Security personnel using surveillance cameras saw a group of deer in the same area but initially did not see the intruder.
He said federal officials notified the airport of an intruder minutes later. However, due to the remote location and the short time between the man climbing the fence and crossing the runway, airport personnel could not intervene in time.
The man crossed about 200 meters from the fence to the runway before being struck by the Frontier Airlines passenger plane, which was taking off at a speed of up to 240 kilometers per hour.
Medical examiner McLaren noted that the man's cause of death was caused by the aircraft's engine.
Security expert Jeff Price said that intruders breaching airport perimeters are a long-standing and frequent problem, with dozens of such incidents potentially occurring nationwide each year.
Price served as deputy director of security at Denver Airport in the 1990s. Denver International Airport, located northeast of the city center, is surrounded by approximately 58 kilometers of fencing, which airport officials say is continuously inspected. (Translated by Li Peishan) 1150513
※Cherish life, suicide cannot solve problems, there is always a way out in life. If you need counseling or related assistance, please call the Ministry of Health and Welfare hotline "1925", the Life Line hotline "1995", or the Teacher Chang service hotline "1980".
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(Central News Agency, Fort Collins, Colorado, 12th综合外电報導) A 41-year-old man died after a fiery collision with an aircraft at Denver International Airport. Authorities said today that the man intended to commit suicide when he climbed over a remote fence and walked onto the runway.
Sterling McLaren, chief medical examiner for the City and County of Denver, stated that no suicide note was found at the scene of the Denver International Airport incident, and officials ruled the cause of death as suicide based on the autopsy results. She did not provide further details.
The Associated Press reported that the collision involving a Frontier Airlines passenger plane caused an engine fire, forcing passengers to evacuate. Philip Washington, the airport's CEO, said 12 people sustained minor injuries, and 5 were taken to the hospital, 4 of whom have since been discharged.
Black and white video footage released by the airport, filmed from a distance, showed a tiny figure swinging his arms as he walked towards the runway. Seconds later, the plane could be seen speeding past, its right engine striking the man and catching fire upon impact. Passengers were evacuated via emergency slides.
Airport CEO Washington said that minutes before the man climbed the fence, a ground radar system in that area activated and triggered an alarm. Security personnel using surveillance cameras saw a group of deer in the same area but initially did not see the intruder.
He said federal officials notified the airport of an intruder minutes later. However, due to the remote location and the short time between the man climbing the fence and crossing the runway, airport personnel could not intervene in time.
The man crossed about 200 meters from the fence to the runway before being struck by the Frontier Airlines passenger plane, which was taking off at a speed of up to 240 kilometers per hour.
Medical examiner McLaren noted that the man's cause of death was caused by the aircraft's engine.
Security expert Jeff Price said that intruders breaching airport perimeters are a long-standing and frequent problem, with dozens of such incidents potentially occurring nationwide each year.
Price served as deputy director of security at Denver Airport in the 1990s. Denver International Airport, located northeast of the city center, is surrounded by approximately 58 kilometers of fencing, which airport officials say is continuously inspected. (Translated by Li Peishan) 1150513
※Cherish life, suicide cannot solve problems, there is always a way out in life. If you need counseling or related assistance, please call the Ministry of Health and Welfare hotline "1925", the Life Line hotline "1995", or the Teacher Chang service hotline "1980".
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force for safeguarding press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio-visual content on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.