Bullet hits Southwest Airlines flight before takeoff in Dallas

A Southwest Airlines plane at Dallas Love Field airport was struck by a bullet on Friday night causing the plane to return to the gate.  

About 8:30 p.m. Friday while taxiing for takeoff at Dallas Love Field Airport, Southwest Airlines Flight 2494 was struck by gunfire near the cockpit, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement to USA TODAY.  

The FAA said that the Boeing 737-800 returned to the gate. Once there, the passengers deplaned. The flight was headed to Indianapolis International Airport, the FAA said.  

“Southwest Airlines Flight 2494 was set to depart for Indianapolis when a bullet apparently struck the right side of the plane, just below the flight deck, as the crew was preparing for takeoff,” a Southwest spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Reuters. 

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Bullet strikes Southwest airplane, no injuries reported  

After the plane was deplaned, Southwest said that no injuries were reported.  

“Law enforcement authorities have been notified, and the plane has been removed from service,” Southwest told Reuters.  

Dallas Love Field Airport told Reuters that Dallas police and Dallas Fire-Rescue responded to the scene. “No injuries were reported, and there was minimal impact on airport operations,” the airport said in a post on social network X.