The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation after a Southwest Airlines flight dropped sharply shortly after takeoff from Hollywood Burbank Airport on Friday, in a dramatic mid-air manoeuvre to avoid a possible collision with another aircraft.
Flight 1496, bound for Las Vegas, descended rapidly within minutes of departure, reportedly lifting passengers out of their seats and injuring two flight attendants. The airline later confirmed the incident was prompted by two onboard traffic collision avoidance alerts that forced the aircraft to climb and descend suddenly.
Southwest Airlines stated, “Our crew responded to two onboard traffic alerts… requiring them to climb and descend to comply with the alerts.” The flight landed safely in Las Vegas, where it was met by emergency medical personnel. “We appreciate the professionalism of our Flight Crew and Flight Attendants in responding to this event. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees,” the statement added.
According to a CNN report citing flight tracking data, the Boeing 737 came dangerously close to a privately owned Hawker Hunter fighter jet, which crossed less than two miles ahead and within a few hundred feet of its altitude. The vintage military aircraft had reportedly departed El Paso, Texas and was en route to Oxnard, California.
Passengers recounted the terrifying moment. Stand-up comedian Jimmy Dore, who was onboard, posted on X: “Pilot said his collision warning went off & he needed to avoid plane coming at us. Wow. A flight attendant needed medical attention.”
Fellow passenger Stef Zamorano said the cabin erupted in applause after the plane landed.
Caitlin Burdi, another passenger, told Fox News: “It was terrifying. We really thought we were plummeting to a plane crash.” She added that the pilot addressed passengers after the event, stating: “We almost collided with another plane, and I had to make the emergency attempt to go under because we lost service with the air traffic controller.”
The FAA confirmed it is investigating the “incident”, and reiterated its commitment to safety: “Ensuring the safety of everyone in the national airspace system remains our top priority.”
The near-miss comes just days after another aircraft — a Delta regional flight — was forced to make a sudden evasive manoeuvre to avoid a US military bomber near Minneapolis, adding to growing concerns over close calls in American airspace.
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