Southwest Airlines plane struck by bullet before departure in Dallas

Dallas; A Southwest Airlines plane preparing for departure at Dallas Love Field Airport was hit by a bullet late Friday and had to return to the gate, the airline said in a statement Saturday. Southwest Airlines Flight 2494 was about to depart for Indianapolis when an apparent bullet hit the right side of the plane, just below the flight deck, as the crew was preparing for takeoff,” a Southwest spokesman told Reuters via e-mail. said in a mailed statement.”No injuries were reported. Law enforcement authorities have been notified and the aircraft has been removed from service.” Dallas Love Field Airport told Reuters the security incident occurred around 9:50 p.m. local time and Dallas Police and Dallas Fire Rescue responded. Passengers were safely disembarked after the plane was damaged, the airport said in a statement without identifying the airline.