Passengers on Southwest flight 1496, traveling from Burbank to Las Vegas, encountered a terrifying moment when the plane suddenly plunged to avoid a midair crash soon after takeoff.
The dramatic maneuver caused passengers to fly up out of their seats and into the ceiling as children and adults screamed, fearing the worst.
Passengers reported at least one flight attendant was injured, though the airline has not yet confirmed any details about the incident.
The Southwest Airlines flight reportedly had to perform a nose dive to avoid an incoming plane. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
“It was absolutely terrifying,” Burdi recounted. “I just remember him saying, ‘What just happened was 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.’”
Other passengers on the fearful flight took to social media to share their experience.
“Myself & plenty of people flew out of their seats & bumped heads on the ceiling, and a flight attendant needed medical attention,” stand-up comedian Jimmy Dore shared in an X post. “The pilot said his collision warning went off, and he had to evade a plane heading towards us. Wow.”
Southwest Airlines did not immediately respond to further inquiries from Fox News Digital.
