In a shocking turn of events, Southwest Airlines Flight 2494 was ready to take off to Indianapolis from Dallas Love Field airport when a bullet struck the right side of the aircraft under its flight deck, as informed by a spokesperson to a media outlet. No injuries were reported due to this incident.
The aircraft then returned to its gate and the passengers were deboarded following which the runaway had to be temporarily closed. However, as per reports, the runway is now open for operation.
The Dallas police also confirmed the incident mentioning that the officers responded to the gunfire reports at 9:45 PM local time at 8000 Herb Keller Way. A statement from Southwest Airlines stated that the passengers would be accommodated on another flight since the Southwest Airlines Flight 2494 has been removed from service.
Details about the incident remain limited, including the origin of the gunfire. The number of people aboard the jet is reported by a police source as 99 but the extent of damage to the aircraft has not been disclosed. Dallas police are handling the investigation, with the suspected shooter still at large.
The incident comes after recent events in Haiti, where gangs targeted three aircraft near Port-au-Prince airport. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration imposed a 30-day restriction on U.S. airlines operating in the region.
Previously, gunfire struck a Spirit Airlines plane during its landing approach at Toussaint Louverture International Airport, causing a flight attendant to sustain a grazing wound and prompting the aircraft to divert to an airport in the Dominican Republic.
The Southwest Airlines Flight 2494 was reportedly less than two years old
FlightRadar24 data indicated that the aircraft involved in the incident is a 1.7-year-old Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered as N8858K. On November 15, 2024, passengers on a Southwest Airlines flight in Denver were evacuated after a cell phone battery caught fire, igniting an airplane seat.
The Boeing 737-700 was at the gate with 108 passengers aboard when the incident occurred at Denver International Airport. Those seated at the back exited via emergency slides, while passengers at the front used the jet bridge to disembark, according to the FAA and the airline.
One person sustained a minor injury during the evacuation, and the phone's owner was treated for burns. Southwest Airlines confirmed that crew members extinguished the seat fire and stated that the customer care team assisted passengers with travel arrangements to Houston, emphasizing safety as their top priority.
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Previously, JetBlue and American Airlines confirmed that post-flight inspections revealed gunfire damage to their planes departing Port-au-Prince on the same day. In response, American Airlines has suspended flights to the Haitian capital until February 12, 2025.
The incidents occurred amid escalating violence during the swearing-in of Haiti’s new prime minister following a tense political process. The United Nations reported 20 armed clashes and numerous roadblocks disrupting humanitarian efforts on Monday.
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