Southwest Airlines plane struck by bullet before departure in Dallas

(Reuters) – A Southwest Airlines plane preparing for departure at Dallas Love Field airport was struck by a bullet late on late Friday, prompting the aircraft to return to the gate, the airline said in a statement.

“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.

“No injuries were reported. Law enforcement authorities have been notified and the plane has been removed from service.”

The plane was preparing for departure from Dallas to Indianapolis.

Dallas Love Field Airport said the security incident occurred at around 9:50 p.m. local time and prompted a response from Dallas police and Dallas Fire-Rescue.

Passengers were safely deplaned after the aircraft sustained damage, the airport said in a statement without identifying the airline.

Further details about the source of the bullet or the circumstances of the incident were not immediately available.

(Reporting by Surbhi Misra in Bengaluru; Editing by Stephen Coates)