A tragic incident unfolded at Denver International Airport late Friday night (May 8) when Michael Mott, 41, died by suicide after being struck by a Frontier Airlines plane. The Denver Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Mott’s death resulted from multiple blunt and sharp force injuries. The crash occurred just two minutes after Mott jumped an 8-foot security fence topped with barbed wire and walked onto the runway.
The Frontier flight, bound for Los Angeles, was moving at 139 mph when it hit Mott, causing an engine fire and injuring 12 passengers. Five of the injured were taken to the hospital. The runway was closed for nine hours while authorities investigated the incident.
Denver Airport CEO Phil Washington stated that an alarm was triggered nine minutes before the crash, initially identifying a herd of deer near the perimeter fence. The camera view alternated between the wildlife and Mott, obscuring his presence. Washington emphasized that safety improvements would be made swiftly.
Security breaches at the airport are rare, and the incident has raised questions about the adequacy of the airport’s security measures. Aviation experts noted the difficulty of preventing such breaches due to the airport’s vast size and complex layout.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are involved in the ongoing investigation, focusing on the emergency evacuation and security protocols. Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas mentioned that Mott was known to local law enforcement and that no suicide note had been found.
Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support.
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