A man was struck and killed by a Southwest airplane Thursday night on a runway at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, according to the airport.
The flight was arriving from Dallas. According to preliminary information released by the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot of Southwest Airlines Flight 1392 reported seeing a person on Runway 17-Right, shortly after the Boeing 737-700 (reg. N401WN) touched down at 8:12 p.m.
The driver of an Airport Operations vehicle subsequently reported finding the victim on the runway. It is unclear if the victim is an employee or another person.
“AUS is aware of an individual that was struck and killed on runway 17R by a landing aircraft earlier this evening,” the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport wrote on Twitter. “The incident is currently under investigation, and we will provide more information as it becomes available.”
FAA investigators are on their way to the site and will assist the Austin Police Department and other officials in determining whether the aircraft struck the victim.
“Southwest flight #1392 arrived safely after being cleared to land on runway 17R at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) this evening,” a Southwest statement released on Thursday night read.
“The Southwest aircraft manoeuvred to avoid an individual who appeared on runway 17R shortly after touchdown. The aircraft quickly came to a safe stop, and the Pilots reported the event to local air traffic controllers,” the statement continued.
“After receiving further instructions from controllers, the aircraft taxied to the gate where all Customers and the Crew deplaned the aircraft safely with no reports on onboard injuries.”
The spokesperson said the company extended “our Southwest Hearts” to the person killed in the incident and thanked the crew for their “professionalism and swift response”.
Austin airport said its operations team found the victim on the runway and called Austin-Travis Emergency Medical Services. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene and the Austin Police Department is leading the investigation.