Dallas authorities are investigating an incident in which a Southwest Airlines flight was struck by a bullet while preparing to depart from Love Field Airport on Friday night.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 with registration N8744B, was taxiing toward runway 13R/31L for departure to Indianapolis, operating flight WN2494, when the bullet hit the right side of the plane just below the flight deck around 10 p.m., according to Southwest Airlines. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the plane safely returned to the gate, where passengers deplaned.
«Southwest will rebook our customers on another flight,» the airline said. «Law enforcement authorities have been notified, and the plane has been removed from service,» they added.
Please see the statement below regarding the incident that occurred Friday night at Dallas Love Field. pic.twitter.com/oaXltTAej7
— Dallas Love Field Airport (@DallasLoveField) November 16, 2024
At this time, the origin of the gunfire is unknown, and it is unclear if the aircraft was the intended target. As of early Saturday, no arrests had been made. Dallas police confirmed that responding officers found evidence that the aircraft had been struck by gunfire. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that the bullet caused damage «near the cockpit.»
The runway the aircraft was preparing to use was temporarily closed Friday night while authorities conducted their investigation. However, airport officials confirmed that the disruption had a «minimal impact on airport operations,» according to a post on their official X account.
The incident remains under investigation, and authorities have yet to determine the circumstances surrounding the gunfire.
This incident coincidentally comes during the same week in which aircraft from JetBlue, American Airlines, and Spirit Airlines were shot at in Haiti, prompting the United States to ban flights over Haitian airspace below 10,000 feet for 30 days.
