A homeless man was killed after being sucked into a jet engine at Denver International Airport, an incident that nearly caused a catastrophic disaster. Michael Mott, 41, was struck by a Frontier Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles on Friday after breaching security and stepping onto the tarmac.
Incident Details
Mott jumped an 8-foot fence and was on the runway for only two minutes before being hit by the plane traveling at 139 mph. His body was dismembered, with parts scattered across the runway. The pilot, in disbelief, informed passengers: 'I do have limbs on the runway. I believe the aircraft struck an individual. There appear to be human remains on the runway.'
Aftermath and Injuries
The plane's engine caught fire after the impact, forcing the evacuation of all 224 people on board. Twelve passengers suffered minor injuries. The runway was closed for several hours as authorities investigated.
Security and Investigation
Denver Airport CEO Phillip Washington stated that the 36-mile perimeter fence was found intact. Ground detection sensors triggered an alarm, but officials initially mistook Mott for wildlife. 'The camera view was alternating between the wildlife and the individual. Given the short time period, we were not able to intervene and prevent this person from reaching the runway,' Washington said.
Authorities are still investigating how Mott accessed the area, as no vehicle was found nearby. He was homeless and had a criminal record, including charges of trespassing and attempted murder. No suicide note has been recovered. Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said: 'We are currently looking for any notes, computers, anything like that, trying to identify places where he most recently was.'
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the incident.
