Southwest B737 at Austin on May 7th 2020, landing aircraft hits man on runway

Last Update: May 9, 2020 / 21:06:21 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
May 7, 2020

Classification
Accident

Flight number
WN-1392

Aircraft Registration
N401WN

Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-700

ICAO Type Designator
B737

A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700, registration N401WN performing flight WN-1392 from Dallas Love,TX to Austin,TX (USA) with 53 passengers and 5 crew. landed on Austin's runway 17R when the crew spotted a man on the runway and attempted to avoid the individual, the left engine however hit and killed the man. The aircraft rolled out without further incident, the crew advised tower "there might be a person on the runway" and added at about the touch down point. Tower instructed the next arrival on finals to go around. There were no injuries on board of the aircraft, the aircraft sustained damage to the left hand engine.

An airport operations vehicle recovered the body of the man from the runway.

About 20 minutes prior to WN-1392 another aircraft had landed on runway 17R without noticing anything unusual.

The FAA is investigating. In the afternoon the FAA added the occurrence was rated a "security incident". The FAA wrote: "AIRCRAFT STRUCK INDIVIDUAL THAT WAS ON RUNWAY WHILE LANDING".

Austin Police reported the man wasn't dressed like an airport worker and did not have any identification on him.

Austin's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) reported their medics have obtained a Deceased on Scene pronouncement of an adult patient.

The airline stated:

Southwest flight #1392 arrived safely after being cleared to land on runway 17R at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) this evening. The Southwest aircraft maneuvered 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. 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 of onboard injuries. Tonight's flight landed at 8:12 p.m. CDT, after arriving from Dallas Love Field (DAL). Southwest is fully cooperating with local law enforcement and FAA as they investigate this event. Our Southwest Hearts extend to the individual involved, and we sincerely thank our Crew for their professionalism and swift response.

On May 9th 2020 the airport reported the man was not employed by the airport and hopped the perimeter fence of the airport. The perimeter fence is being checked by Transportation Security Administration.

Airport Staff reported the man was a homeless person known to police. A large homeless camp is just outside Austin Airport, in the past there had been similiar encounters when homeless people ended up inside the airport perimeter.

On May 9th 2020 the NTSB reported they were notified of the occurrence but delegated the investigation to Austin's Police Department, who are investigating with the assistance by the FAA and Austin Airport.



Related NOTAM (already cancelled):
AUS 05/018 AUS RWY 17R/35L CLSD 2005080153-2005081100

Metars:
KAUS 080253Z 17016G25KT 10SM BKN025 25/20 A2986 RMK AO2 PK WND 16028/0226 SLP104 T02500200 53001=
KAUS 080153Z 16014G25KT 10SM SCT046 BKN200 26/20 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP102 T02560200=
KAUS 080053Z 16014G24KT 10SM FEW035 SCT043 26/20 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP104 T02610200=
KAUS 072353Z 16015G27KT 10SM BKN037 OVC048 27/19 A2988 RMK AO2 PK WND 16027/2353 SLP112 T02720194 10283 20261 56032=
KAUS 072253Z 15017G25KT 10SM FEW038 SCT050 BKN060 28/19 A2990 RMK AO2 PK WND 15027/2240 SLP118 T02780194=
KAUS 072153Z 16011G22KT 10SM FEW030 SCT049 BKN065 28/21 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP128 T02830206=
Aircraft Registration Data
Registration mark
N401WN
Country of Registration
United States
Date of Registration
TCDS Ident. No.
Manufacturer
BOEING
Aircraft Model / Type
737-7H4
Number of Seats
ICAO Aircraft Type
B737
Year of Manufacture
Serial Number
Aircraft Address / Mode S Code (HEX)
Engine Count
Engine Manufacturer
Engine Model
Engine Type
Main Owner
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Incident Facts

Date of incident
May 7, 2020

Classification
Accident

Flight number
WN-1392

Aircraft Registration
N401WN

Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-700

ICAO Type Designator
B737

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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