Man who killed himself by jumping into Frontier jet engine is pictured as investigators explain how he broke onto runway

Police have revealed the identity of the man who was hit by a Frontier jet and mangled in its engine amid the investigation into his bizarre death.

Michael Mott, 41, scaled the fence at the Denver International Airport and walked across the runway, prompting investigators to rule his May 8 death a suicide.

The Denver City and County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed Tuesday that Mott’s cause of death was multiple blunt and sharp force injuries, caused by his collision with the jet engine.

The cause of death was created by the engine of the plane and then there was a fire following that impact,’ Chief Medical Examiner Dr Sterling McLaren said.

Though Mott was ingested by the engine, investigators were able to positively identify him through his fingerprints.

The Denver Police Department is working to recover a suicide note or any indication that Mott planned his death, reported the New York Post. 

‘We currently are looking for any notes, computers, anything like that, trying to identify places where he most recently was,’ Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said.

Police said Mott had previous run-ins with law enforcement in the area, though they have not revealed whether he was a Denver resident, reported the Denver Gazette.

Michael Mott, 41, died by suicide after scaling the fence at the Denver International Airport
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Michael Mott, 41, died by suicide after scaling the fence at the Denver International Airport

Investigators said Mott died after being caught in the jet engine of Frontier Flight 4345
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Investigators said Mott died after being caught in the jet engine of Frontier Flight 4345

Terrifying footage emerged of Mott on the runway in front of the plane before he was fatally struck
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Terrifying footage emerged of Mott on the runway in front of the plane before he was fatally struck

At a press conference on Thursday, Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington addressed the breach in the airport's security system
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At a press conference on Thursday, Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington addressed the breach in the airport’s security system

Frontier Flight 4345 was cleared for takeoff after 11pm that evening, just moments after Mott triggered motion sensors on the perimeter of the tarmac, reported CPR News.

Denver International Airport Chief Executive Officer Phil Washington said airport officials ‘did not initially see the trespasser,’ reported the New York Post.

According to NBC News, officials ‘reviewed the alarm and identified a herd of deer just outside of the perimeter fence.’

In recovered audio from the control tower, an air traffic control employee could be heard warning pilots of ‘a party walking on the runway.’

‘It took approximately 15 seconds for this person to jump over the 8-foot fence topped with barbed wire,’ Washington said.

‘The time between climbing over the fence and being struck by the plane, again, was approximately two minutes.

‘The location of the incident is about two miles away from the terminal — given the short time period, we were not able to intervene and prevent this person from reaching the runway.’

Police said Mott had prior criminal history. He was arrested in Colorado Springs just a few weeks before his death
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Police said Mott had prior criminal history. He was arrested in Colorado Springs just a few weeks before his death

Mott scaled an eight- foot fence surrounding the runway. Officials said he triggered motion detection alarms
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Mott scaled an eight- foot fence surrounding the runway. Officials said he triggered motion detection alarms

All 224 passengers were evacuated vi ana emergency slide on the runway
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All 224 passengers were evacuated vi ana emergency slide on the runway

The pilot announced to air traffic control that the flight would be stopping mid-takeoff.

‘Tower, Frontier 4345, we’re stopping on the runway. Uh, we just hit somebody… we have an engine fire,’ the pilot said, according to air traffic control audio.

‘I do have limbs on the runway, I believe the aircraft has struck an individual,’ the air traffic control employee confirmed during flight communications, first reported by TMZ.

There were 224 passengers on the aircraft when it struck Mott, each of whom was evacuated via the emergency slide on the runway.

Twelve passengers sustained minor injuries. Five passengers were transported to local hospitals.

One recalled seeing ‘legs of a human’ spin around in the engine as the cabin filled with smoke, reported the New York Post. 

Police Chief Thomas described the evening’s events as ‘incredibly difficult’ for all of those involved.

‘I want to acknowledge that this was an incredibly difficult and traumatic situation for a lot of people and my heart goes out to all of them as they process what they experienced,’ Chief Thomas said.

Mott's cause of death was listed as multiple blunt and sharp force injuries, caused by his collision with the jet engine
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Mott’s cause of death was listed as multiple blunt and sharp force injuries, caused by his collision with the jet engine

A fire broke out after the collision. Passengers were forced to evacuate the plane via the emergency slide
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A fire broke out after the collision. Passengers were forced to evacuate the plane via the emergency slide

The incident is being investigated by the Denver International Airport, the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA.

State records indicated that Mott had a troubled history, including a list of arrests and convictions that spanned at least two decades.

Just a few weeks before his death, Mott was charged with felony trespassing, resisting arrest and criminal mischief in Colorado Springs.

The Denver Police Department arrested Mott in February 2025 for reported assault. Mott’s charges were dropped.