DENVER – Six Frontier Airlines aircraft that were damaged by hail at Denver International Airport are back in service.

The Denver Post reports the airplanes re-entered service Thursday after a thorough examination. DIA reported ¾-inch hail Wednesday, but no other airlines reported damage. One reason could be that Frontier’s planes have composite materials in their horizontal and vertical stabilizers – the fin and small wings found on the planes’ tail.

Because damage to composites is often not visible, crews use ultrasonic technology to test the condition of the internal structure, which takes longer than checking an all-aluminum aircraft.

Carbon composite material is lighter and more durable than aluminum and is gradually being integrated into aircraft manufacturing.

Teen who fell to death near Grand Junction ID’d

GRAND JUNCTION – Authorities have released the name of a 16-year-old boy who fell 100 feet to his death at the Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction.

The Mesa County Coroner’s Office says Marcos Alejandro Camacho Guillen, of Grand Junction, died of blunt force injuries to his chest and abdomen after he fell Tuesday. His death has been ruled an accident.

The Daily Sentinel of Grand Junction reports the boy fell over the edge near the viewing area of Independence Monument, a prominent tower of rock that rises from the floor of the red-rock canyon. He was with friends and family when he fell.

Denver Zoo celebrates birth of wolf pups

DENVER – The Denver Zoo is celebrating the birth of three maned wolf pups – two males and one female.

The pups were born May 1 to mother, Adrianna, and father, Inigo, and are the first of their species to be born at the zoo since 2009. The pups have not yet been named.

Zoo officials say maned wolves resemble red foxes with long legs. But they are not related to foxes, and despite their name, they are not members of the wolf family.

Standing about 3 feet tall at the shoulder, the maned wolf is the largest wild dog of South America.

Associated Press