Bullet hits Southwest Airlines plane

DALLAS (AP) — A bullet struck the body of a Southwest Airlines plane preparing to depart from a Dallas airport, forcing the flight to be canceled Friday evening, the airline said.

No injuries were reported and police were contacted after the bullet struck the right side of the aircraft, just below the cockpit. At the time, the crew of Flight 2494 was preparing the plane for departure from Dallas Love Field Airport, Southwest said in a statement.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft was “struck by gunfire near the cockpit” around 8:30 p.m. while taxiing for the flight to Indianapolis International Airport. The plane returned to the gate and the passengers disembarked, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.

The plane was taken out of service, according to the airline, which said it would provide another flight for the passengers.

Dallas Love Field Airport said in a social media post that Dallas police responded and runway 13R/31L was closed, but responded later Friday evening with “minimal impact” on facility operations.