Man, 41, sucked into plane engine at US airport, authorities believe incident a suicide

A passenger airliner struck and killed a 41-year-old man in Denver, U.S.

The incident occurred at a runway at Dever International Airport during a planned takeoff for Los Angeles on May 8, at about 11:19pm, New York Post and Reuters reported.

Struck

Before the incident, the man, identified as Michael Mott, jumped the perimeter fence and made it onto the airport runway.

According to airport officials, it took him approximately 15 seconds to jump over the 2.4m fence topped with barbed wire.

In a video released, the air plane, an Airbus A321neo operated by American low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines, struck Mott as he was walking on the runway.

He was sucked into the jet’s engine, causing it to catch fire.

According to TMZ, air traffic controllers reported that there were apparently limbs and human remains on the runway.

All 224 passengers and seven crew members on board the flight were evacuated safely.

A total of 12 people reported minor injuries, and five were conveyed to local hospitals.

In photos circulating online, passengers were seen sliding down an inflatable ramp and were wrapped with blankets.

The engine, with what appeared to be human remains, could also be seen.

As of May 9, the incident scene has been cleared, and the runway has been reopened.

Suicide

Authorities believed Mott intended to commit suicide.

According to medical examiners, the cause of death was determined to be multiple blunt and sharp force injuries.

No suicide note has been recovered.

Criminal record

Since 2002, Mott has been arrested more than 20 times in Colorado.

One month before his death on Apr. 10, he was arrested for trespassing and damaging property at a Colorado Springs dwelling.

Starting at 17, Mott was repeatedly arrested for minor infractions, such as shoplifting and underage alcohol consumption.

In February 2005, he was arrested for attempted murder using a firearm.

Mott pleaded guilty to second-degree assault causing serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to six years’ jail.

He was also charged with assault using a weapon once while serving his sentence.

His other crimes committed included burglary in 2016, assault on a peace officer in 2020 and attempting to escape prison in 2017.

Helplines

If you or someone you know is in mental distress, here are some hotlines you can call to seek help, advice, or just a listening ear:

National mindline.sg Hotline: 1771 (24 hours)

National mindline.sg WhatsApp: 66691771 (24 hours)

SOS 24-hour Hotline: 1-767

Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019