A Southwest Airlines flight preparing [1] for departure at Dallas Love Field Airport was struck [2] by a bullet on Friday evening, forcing the cancellation of the flight and triggering a law enforcement response.
🚨#BREAKING [4]: A Southwest Airlines jet has been struck by a gunfire at the Dallas Love Field Airport⁰⁰📌#Dallas [5] | #Texas [6]⁰
Currently Crews are on high alert after gunshots were reported near Dallas Texas Love Field Airport causing a bullet to strike Southwest Airlines Flight… pic.twitter.com/eIyu6HAplc [7]— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) November 16, 2024 [8]
No injuries were reported in the incident, which occurred around 8:30 p.m. as the Boeing 737-800 aircraft was taxiing for takeoff to Indianapolis International Airport.
According to Southwest Airlines, the bullet struck the right side of the aircraft, just below the flight deck.
The crew of Flight 2494 immediately returned the plane to the gate, where passengers were safely deplaned.
The airline stated that the aircraft was removed from service and that a replacement flight would be provided for the passengers.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident and noted that the bullet struck the aircraft “near the cockpit.”
Dallas Police responded to the scene, and runway 13R/31L was temporarily closed. Dallas Love Field Airport later reported on social media that the runway was reopened later that evening, with “minimal impact” on the airport’s overall operations.
Dallas police are investigating the shooting, but no further details about the source of the gunfire have been released.
The incident adds to growing concerns about safety near airports, as similar events have occurred in other locations recently.
Earlier in the week, Haitian gangs reportedly fired on multiple planes at or near Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, prompting the FAA to temporarily ban U.S. airlines from flying to the country.
On Monday, a Spirit Airlines flight was struck by bullets while attempting to land in Port-au-Prince, grazing a flight attendant and forcing the aircraft to divert to the Dominican Republic.
On Tuesday, American Airlines and JetBlue flights departing Port-au-Prince were also found to have bullet holes during postflight inspections.
The violence in Haiti has raised alarm among aviation officials and highlighted the risks associated with flying in areas experiencing civil unrest.
While the incident at Dallas Love Field did not result in injuries or further disruptions, it underscores the potential dangers posed by gunfire near airports.
Southwest Airlines and local authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and additional updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
The FAA and Dallas Love Field officials have not indicated any broader security concerns at the Dallas airport but have emphasized their commitment to passenger safety.