Thankfully no one was hurt.
On Friday evening, a Southwest Airlines flight preparing to take off from Dallas Love Field Airport was struck by a bullet. The incident occurred just before 10 p.m. as the aircraft was being readied for departure to Indianapolis. The bullet struck the right side of the plane below the flight deck, though fortunately, no injuries were reported. The plane, Southwest Flight 2494, safely taxied back to the terminal after the damage was discovered. Passengers were then deplaned, and the plane was removed from service for further inspection.
Dallas Police confirmed the shooting and launched an investigation into the incident, though the cause of the gunfire remains unclear. The runway at Dallas Love Field was temporarily closed during the investigation but has since been reopened. While no suspects have been identified, law enforcement is actively looking into the matter. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also been informed of the incident and is monitoring the situation.
This marks the second time in a week that an aircraft has been struck by gunfire. Earlier in the week, a Spirit Airlines flight was hit by a bullet while landing in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The flight, originating from Fort Lauderdale, was diverted to the Dominican Republic, where it landed safely. A post-landing inspection revealed damage consistent with gunfire, although no serious injuries occurred. One flight attendant did report minor injuries. The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince has warned of increased gang-related violence, which has affected travel routes in the region.
In response to the shooting in Haiti, the FAA suspended all commercial flights between the U.S. and Haiti. The suspension was formalized with a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen), though flights operated by the U.S. government are exempt from this ban. The embassy has advised U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to Haiti due to safety concerns.
Both incidents underscore growing concerns about aviation safety in regions affected by violence. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shootings, and measures are being taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
