Man hit by L.A.-bound plane on Denver runway is ID'd. Questions on his motivation swirl

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Officials have identified the man who walked in front of an L.A.-bound Frontier Airlines plane during takeoff and was fatally struck by its engine, which burst into flames upon impact, forcing an emergency evacuation and injuring a dozen passengers.Michael Mott, 41, died from multiple blunt force injuries in the collision on the Denver International Airport runway Friday night, according to Denver Chief Medical Examiner Sterling McLaren.

His manner of death was ruled a suicide, but officials have not recovered a note, she said.Mott had been arrested 20 times in the state of Colorado on suspicion of violent felonies including attempted murder, domestic violence and assault, according to court records obtained by the California Post.

Most recently, he was arrested on suspicion of trespassing, damaging property and resisting arrest in Colorado Springs, the Post reported.Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas did not discuss Mott’s extensive criminal history at a news conference Tuesday morning but noted that investigators were reaching out to his family and those who knew him seeking additional information about his motivations.

Thomas asked anyone who was in contact with Mott prior to the incident to contact the department.California Pilots who regularly fly in and around Hollywood Burbank airport said its proximity to Van Nuys airport makes it particularly vulnerable to a midair collision.

Some worry enough hasn’t been done to mitigate crossover between aircraft in the area.Surveillance camera footage captured Mott scaling an 8-foot fence topped with barbed wire at the perimeter of the airport in just 15 seconds, then walking across the runway.Two minutes later, the right engine of a plane traveling 150 mph slammed into Mott, bursting into flame upon impact.

“Given the short time period, we were not able to intervene and prevent this person from reaching the runway,” airport C...