Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 22
Ground Vehicle Strikes Southwest Flight 4013 in Memphis, Delaying Departure Nearly 4 Hours
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 22

Ground Vehicle Strikes Southwest Flight 4013 in Memphis, Delaying Departure Nearly 4 Hours

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 22

Summary

  • Southwest pulled Flight 4013 from service after a ground equipment vehicle hit the aircraft during boarding Sunday at Memphis International Airport; no injuries were reported.
  • Passengers were moved to an alternate plane, and the flight left nearly four hours late, with scheduled arrival pushed to about 5:30 p.m. from 1:50 p.m.
  • Southwest said the replacement aircraft would operate the route to Dallas, though its website listed Flight 4013 as continuing to Harry Reid International Airport near Las Vegas.
  • Memphis airport called it an isolated incident, while Southwest said the contact will be reviewed under its Safety Management System.

Insights

Is Southwest's latest operational failure a sign its new business model is compromising its legendary safety and reliability?
With thousands of ground collisions yearly, why isn't anti-collision technology mandatory for all airport vehicles?