Three Passengers Sue Frontier Airlines After Flight 1326 Fire at Harry Reid International Airport

On October 5, 2024, Frontier Airlines Flight 1326 departed San Diego bound for Las Vegas carrying roughly 190 passengers. Before reaching its destination, the flight crew detected a chemical odor in the forward cabin. Pilots noticed the smell in the cockpit as well and placed the aircraft into an electrical emergency configuration. Communication with air traffic control became intermittent. The crew declared an emergency and brought the Airbus A321 down toward Harry Reid International Airport.

The landing did not go smoothly. On touchdown, the force of impact caused the aircraft's tires to explode and its right main landing gear to collapse. The plane came to rest on the runway as fire and smoke billowed around the gear assembly. Emergency responders reached the aircraft, but the roughly 190 people aboard were not immediately evacuated. Three of those passengers, Eddie Frierson of San Diego County, Alberto Cardos-Ramirez of Clark County, and Ana Figueroa-Cueva of Clark County, say they sat inside the sweltering, smoke-filled cabin for nearly an hour before being allowed off the plane.

Frontier's initial statement characterized the outcome as a safe landing, noting that pilots had detected smoke and declared an emergency before the aircraft touched down. The airline declined further comment once the lawsuit was filed.

On October 21, 2024, Las Vegas attorney Steve Dimopoulos filed a negligence complaint against Frontier in Clark County District Court on behalf of all three passengers. The complaint alleges that Frontier failed to properly repair, inspect, maintain, and operate the aircraft in a reasonable and safe manner. It further argues that negligence can be inferred from the events themselves, a res ipsa loquitur theory common in aviation cases where mechanical failures of this kind do not ordinarily occur absent a breach of the duty of care.

The three plaintiffs seek general and special damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain, suffering, and emotional distress. As of the filing date, the case remained pending in Clark County District Court.