Southwest Airlines flight headed to Las Vegas takes dramatic plunge in response to nearby aircraft
Share this @internewscast.com

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Southwest Airline jet en route to Las Vegas from Southern California experienced a sharp drop shortly after takeoff on Friday due to an alert regarding a nearby aircraft, causing some passengers to be lifted from their seats and resulting in injuries to two flight attendants.

The plane abruptly lurched shortly after takeoff and then seemed to be descending, recounted Stef Zamorano, who was traveling to Las Vegas with her husband to celebrate his birthday.

In front of her, Zamorano noticed a woman, not fastened by a seat belt, being propelled out of her seat, her long hair in disarray. The man beside her was grasping her arm, and Zamorano mentioned that the woman across the aisle appeared frightened.

“She was pretty much verbalizing how we all felt, saying, ‘I want to get off this plane. I want to be on the ground,’ ” Zamorano told The Associated Press.

Data from the flight tracking site FlightAware shows it dropped roughly 300 feet (91.44 meters) in 36 seconds.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the flight, Southwest 1496, was responding to an onboard alert about another aircraft in its vicinity. The FAA is investigating. Southwest said the crew responded to two alerts that required the pilot to climb then descend. The flight departed from Hollywood Burbank Airport just before noon.

Still in shock, Zamorano said she could hardly make out what the pilot was saying when he later addressed the passengers.

Another passenger, comedian Jimmy Dore, posted on X that the pilot mentioned a near miss.

“Pilot said his collision warning went off & he needed to avoid plane coming at us,” Dore posted.

The plane was in the same airspace near Burbank as a Hawker Hunter Mk. 58 just after noon local time, FlightAware shows. A Hawker Hunter is a British fighter plane. Records show it is owned by Hawker Hunter Aviation, a British defense contracting company. The company didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Mike Christensen, an airport spokesman for Hollywood Burbank, said that neither the control tower nor the operations department, which tracks planes departing and arriving, have any record of the Southwest flight plunging in their airspace.

Southwest said the flight continued to Las Vegas, “where it landed uneventfully.” The airline said that it is working with the FAA “to further understand the circumstances” of the event.

This close call is just the latest incident to raise questions about aviation safety in the wake of January’s midair collision over Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Home Goods Opens in Statesboro Amid Ongoing Growth

STATESBORO, Ga. () — Statesboro and Bulloch County continue to see growth,…

High School Sports Highlights and Scores (September 30, 2025)

Central Illinois (WCIA) – Catch up on the action with highlights and…

Ex-Boyfriend Reveals Difficulties in Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Home Life

() An ex-boyfriend of Celeste Rivas Hernandez says she was not in…

‘Wheel of Fortune’ Contestant Sets Record for Highest Winnings Ever on the Show

STAMFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — A Connecticut woman set a record on “Wheel…

Tyrese Gibson Doesn’t Surrender to Authorities After Animal Cruelty Warrant, According to Police

ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) – Actor and singer Tyrese Gibson did not surrender…

Girls Missing for 36 Years Found; Mother Was Stabbed to Death South of Las Vegas

Back in 1989, in Las Vegas, two young sisters were abandoned and…

Powerful Earthquake in the Philippines Claims at Least 69 Lives

MANILA – At least 69 individuals lost their lives following a strong…

URGENT: Suspects in Mall Shooting Charged with Murder and Additional Offenses

All six individuals suspected in the July 2 shooting at Oglethorpe Mall…

Daniel Day-Lewis Returns from Retirement, Rekindles His Passion for Acting Thanks to His Son

NEW YORK – It’s been eight years since Daniel Day-Lewis retired from…

Tennessee Farmers Face ‘Unprecedented Crisis’ as Lawmaker Appeals to Trump for Assistance

Tennessee farmers are sounding the alarm as they face imminent financial ruin,…

Jannik Sinner Clinches China Open Title with Straight Sets Victory Against American Tien Ahead of Shanghai Masters

BEIJING – Jannik Sinner claimed victory at the China Open by defeating…

Early Morning Fire Destroys Broadlands Garage

BROADLANDS, Ill. (WCIA) — A family is safe after the garage of…