A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 was hit by a bullet as it prepared for takeoff from Dallas Love Field Airport. A bullet struck the right side of the aircraft "just below the flight deck" and it returned to the gate with no reported injuries. Southwest 737 struck by bullet at Dallas Love Field On Friday evening, Southwest Airlines Flight 2494 from Dallas Love Field (DAL) to Indianapolis International (IND) was preparing to depart Dallas when the bullet hit.
By the sounds of it, the aircraft - a Boeing 737-800 - had not yet initiated its takeoff roll, with a Southwest spokesperson telling Reuters it was "while the crew was preparing for takeoff." According to a Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) statement, the bullet hit an area "near the cockpit"—fortunately, no one was hurt in the incident, although it forced the aircraft to return to the gate. An airline spokesperson confirmed that it had been removed from service.
The airport was forced to temporarily close Runway 13R/31L but quickly reopened it, adding in a statement that there was "minimal impact on operations." Gunfire incidents like this are relatively rare in the US, although they happen more frequently than in a country with stricter gun control laws, such as the UK. However, in other areas of the world, it's more likely for commercial flights to encounter gunfire - this includes places like Haiti and Papua New Guinea, where armed gangs are common and often fire potshots at aircraft.
Aircraft operated by Spirit.