Southwest Airlines Flight Takes Dramatic Plunge in Response to Nearby Aircraft
In an unusual incident, a Southwest Airline jet heading to Las Vegas from Southern California took a dramatic plunge shortly after takeoff due to an alert about another plane in its vicinity.
A Southwest Airline jet, identified as flight 1496, was en route to Las Vegas from Hollywood Burbank Airport when it experienced a sudden drop in altitude.
This action was taken in response to an onboard alert indicating the presence of another aircraft in close proximity.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated an investigation into the incident, which resulted in injuries to two flight attendants.
Passengers on board also reported the dramatic descent via social media, with comedian Jimmy Dore noting that the pilot mentioned a collision warning and the need to avoid an approaching plane.
According to data from FlightAware, the aircraft plummeted approximately 300 feet within 36 seconds.
The incident occurred in airspace near Burbank, where a Hawker Hunter Mk.
58, a British fighter plane, was also present at the time.
Owned by Hawker Hunter Aviation Ltd, a defense contracting company based in the UK, the company has not yet provided comments on the matter.
Mike Christensen, an airport spokesperson for Hollywood Burbank, stated that neither the control tower nor the operations department have records of such a plunge in their airspace.
Despite this eventful takeoff, Southwest assured that the flight continued to Las Vegas and landed without further incident.
The airline is collaborating with the FAA to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the close call.
This recent aviation safety concern follows January's midair collision over Washington, D.C., which claimed 67 lives, prompting renewed scrutiny of air travel safety protocols.
This action was taken in response to an onboard alert indicating the presence of another aircraft in close proximity.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated an investigation into the incident, which resulted in injuries to two flight attendants.
Passengers on board also reported the dramatic descent via social media, with comedian Jimmy Dore noting that the pilot mentioned a collision warning and the need to avoid an approaching plane.
According to data from FlightAware, the aircraft plummeted approximately 300 feet within 36 seconds.
The incident occurred in airspace near Burbank, where a Hawker Hunter Mk.
58, a British fighter plane, was also present at the time.
Owned by Hawker Hunter Aviation Ltd, a defense contracting company based in the UK, the company has not yet provided comments on the matter.
Mike Christensen, an airport spokesperson for Hollywood Burbank, stated that neither the control tower nor the operations department have records of such a plunge in their airspace.
Despite this eventful takeoff, Southwest assured that the flight continued to Las Vegas and landed without further incident.
The airline is collaborating with the FAA to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the close call.
This recent aviation safety concern follows January's midair collision over Washington, D.C., which claimed 67 lives, prompting renewed scrutiny of air travel safety protocols.
