On Friday night, a Southwest Airlines flight became the center of attention at Dallas Love Field Airport when a bullet hit the plane’s fuselage moments before takeoff to Indianapolis. The projectile hit the right side of the aircraft, just below the flight deck, while the plane was taxiing on the runway. Authorities indicated that no injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
This development, confirmed by the airline, highlights security concerns at airports and the need for immediate measures to protect both travelers and staff. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800was withdrawn from service after the incident, and the passengers were relocated to other flights, according to reports Southwest Airlines.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident and noted that the plane had damage consistent with the impact of a gunshot. As a precautionary measure, the airline removed the aircraft from service and notified the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation.
The agency Reuters reported that the incident generated a rapid response from the authorities of the Dallas Love Field Airport and of the Dallas Policewho mobilized immediately after receiving the report of the shooting. Runway 13R/31L was temporarily closed to allow for a preliminary investigation, resulting in minimal impact to airport operations.
Local police have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances behind the shooting, although no suspect or motive for the attack has been identified so far.
For its part, Southwest Airlines It acted quickly, informing its passengers about the incident and relocating them to alternative flights. The airline also assured that it is cooperating fully with the authorities to clarify the facts.
AP noted that the incident in dallas It comes just days after a similar event involving a flight of Spirit Airlines in Haiti. Last Monday, a plane that was flying the route between Fort Lauderdale, Floriday Port-au-Prince He was hit by gunfire while landing in the country’s capital. Given the attack, the crew made the decision to divert the aircraft to the Santiago airport in Dominican Republicwhere he landed safely.
A post-landing inspection confirmed damage to the fuselage consistent with gunshot wounds. Although no serious injuries were reported, a flight attendant suffered minor injuries. This event occurs in a context of growing insecurity in Haitiwhere armed groups seek to control access to the city by interrupting land routes, ports and airports.
In response to this incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily suspended flights between USA and the Central American country, issuing a note (Notice to Airmen) that applies to all US commercial airlines, with exceptions for government flights. For its part, the US embassy in Port-au-Prince urged citizens to avoid non-essential travel and prioritize their personal safety.
The similarity between both cases highlights the vulnerability of aircraft to incidents of external violence and highlights the need for stricter protocols to prevent similar risks in the future.
