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| SOUTHWEST B737-7H4 N953WN (CN 36668) File Photo |
A man was struck and killed by a Southwest Airlines plane as it was landing on the runway of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport late Thursday, according to airport officials. The pilot of the Southwest flight from Dallas to Austin reported a person on the runway to air traffic control after it was cleared to land.
"Where exactly did you see the man?," the controller asked. "They are behind us now," the pilot said.
Southwest Airlines said that flight WH1392, which was travelling from Dallas Love Field, TX (KDAL/DAL) to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport TX (KAUS/AUS), "maneuvererd to avoid an individual who became visible" shortly after the aircraft touched down on runway 17R at 8.12pm local time. Austin Police Department's airport unit discovered "an obviously deceased adult male" on the runway, a spokesperson for the police department said. The victim was pronounced dead at 8:41 p.m., according to the statement. The scene was cleared overnight and the runway re-opened early Friday morning. Southwest said none of the 59 people on board the flight were injured in the incident and that it is fully cooperating with local law enforcement and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). FAA investigators were deployed to the scene last night. The agency has not confirmed whether or not the aircraft struck the victim.
A spokesperson from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it is still gathering information and has not launched an official investigation at this time.
The Austin Police Department did not respond to ABC News' request for comment on how the victim gained access to the runway.
Below is the audio between the Southwest Airlines pilot and the air traffic control tower described what unfolded on the runway.
Southwest: “Tower, Southwest 1392, we believe there might be a person on the runway.”
ABIA Tower: “Southwest 1392, where exactly do you see the man?”
Southwest: “Well they, uh, they’re behind us, they’re behind us now.”
ABIA Tower: “Southwest 1392, roger. So you saw them just after you touched down?”
Southwest: “Affirm.”
ABIA Tower: “1392, roger. At your discretion taxi to the gate"
Aircraft Information
Airline: Southwest Airlines
Code: WN /SWA
Aircraft: Boeing 737-7H4
Registration: N401WN
Serial Number: 29813/810
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Story sourced from here but with additions
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