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Southwest jet struck by ground equipment vehicle at Memphis airport
By Bonny Chu
Published June 21, 2026
A ground equipment vehicle struck a Southwest Airlines plane as passengers were boarding on Sunday.
The incident happened at Memphis International Airport in Tennessee, an airline spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
Southwest said Flight 4013 was taken out of service following the contact. However, no injuries were reported.
"Southwest Flight 4013 was contacted by a ground equipment vehicle during boarding today at Memphis International Airport," the airline said.
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FILE – A Southwest Airlines plane sits at the gate. (iStock)
The airport confirmed the incident in a statement to Fox News Digital, describing it as an isolated matter.
"Memphis Shelby County Airport Authority can confirm that an isolated incident occurred today at Memphis International Airport," the airport said.
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FILE – An employee drives a baggage conveyor-belt truck on airport grounds. (aviation-images.com/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Passengers were directed to board an alternate aircraft to reach their destination, Southwest said.
While a spokesperson said the "alternate plane will operate the route to Dallas," the company’s website listed Flight 4013 as resuming service to Harry Reid International Airport in the Las Vegas area.
Passengers reportedly departed nearly four hours behind schedule, and the flight was scheduled to arrive around 5:30 p.m. instead of 1:50 p.m.
FILE – A Southwest Airlines jet was struck by a ground vehicle on June 21, 2026, in Memphis, Tennessee. (Getty Images)
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Southwest said an investigation of the incident is underway.
"The event will be investigated through our comprehensive Safety Management System," the airline said.
"Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of its Customers and Employees."
https://www.foxnews.com/us/southwest-jet-struck-ground-equipment-vehicle-memphis-airport