What happened
During the takeoff ground run on Runway 26L, a Boeing 727-227 struck a pedestrian. The aircraft had accelerated to an indicated airspeed of approximately 105 knots when the captain identified a person positioned on the runway centerline. To avoid a direct collision, the captain immediately veered the aircraft to the right and aborted the takeoff.
The flight crew reported feeling an impact during the maneuver. Following the aborted takeoff, the aircraft taxied to the ramp. A post-flight examination of the aircraft determined that the pedestrian was struck by the left main landing gear system.
According to the airport authority, the pedestrian was a 40-year-old male and a patient at a nearby hospital. The individual did not have authorized access to the runway. An investigation into the security breach failed to determine how the pedestrian managed to enter the runway environment.