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

Trump Halts Trade Negotiations with Canada Following Reagan Tariff Advertisement

On Thursday, President Trump announced the cessation of trade discussions with Canada,…

Local Veterans Commemorate Beirut Bombing Anniversary: Honoring the Fallen and Reflecting on History

In Kingsport, Tennessee, an event was recently held to commemorate the 42nd…

Spooky Weather Alert: Chilling Halloween Cold Front Set to Haunt Your Town!

ORLANDO, Fla. – Though recent “cold fronts” have left us wanting more,…

Top CBP Official Defies Court Order: Accused of Illegally Deploying Tear Gas

CHICAGO — Gregory Bovino, a Commander with the U.S. Border Patrol, is…

St. Joseph-Ogden Soccer Team Aims to Continue Winning Streak After Remarkable Season

ST. JOSEPH, Ill. (WCIA) – The St. Joseph-Ogden boys’ soccer team showcased…

US Supersonic B-1 Bombers Make Strategic Flight Near Venezuelan Coast

WASHINGTON – In a display of military might, the U.S. sent two…

Local Star Quarterback from New Hampstead Shines in SSU Homecoming Game

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Savannah State Tigers are gearing up for their…

Live at 10 a.m.: Trooper Steve Discusses School Bus Safety with Osceola Deputy

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Today’s coverage takes us back to Osceola County,…

Effingham Hit-and-Run: Suspect Identified in Unusual Scooter-Golf Cart Collision

EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — Authorities have named the individual suspected of involvement…

Two Suspects Arrested in Waynesboro Block Party Shooting: Community Seeks Justice

WAYNESBORO, Ga. () – Authorities have apprehended two individuals in relation to…

Japan’s Prime Minister Commits to Strengthening Defense Amid Growing Regional Challenges

In Tokyo, newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivered her inaugural…

Resilient Sacred Heart-Griffin Football Aims for Comeback After Heartbreaking Defeat

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) – As the Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin football team prepares…