Quick Read
- Southwest Airlines Flight 1496 narrowly avoided a midair collision near Burbank Airport on July 25.
- The Boeing 737 made a sharp 500-foot descent to evade a Hawker Hunter fighter jet.
- Two flight attendants were injured; no passengers reported injuries.
- The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident.
- The event raises concerns over military and civilian airspace coordination.
On Friday, July 25, a Southwest Airlines flight departing from Hollywood Burbank Airport in California narrowly avoided a midair collision with a military aircraft. The incident occurred just minutes after takeoff, forcing the Boeing 737 to make a sharp descent of nearly 500 feet to evade a British-built Hawker Hunter fighter jet that crossed its flight path. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the event.
Terrifying Moments for Passengers and Crew
Passengers on Southwest Flight 1496, which was en route to Las Vegas, described the ordeal as harrowing. Steve Ulasewicz, a passenger, recounted to NBC Los Angeles, “The plane was just in a freefall. People were screaming. It was pandemonium.” Another passenger, comedian Jimmy Dore, took to social media to share his experience, stating, “The pilot had to dive aggressively to avoid a midair collision. Myself and plenty of people flew out of their seats and bumped heads on the ceiling. A flight attendant needed medical attention.”
The sudden maneuver triggered onboard alerts that warned the crew of dangerously close aircraft traffic. According to Hindustan Times, the planes came within approximately 4.86 miles laterally and just 350 feet vertically. The FAA confirmed that the Southwest pilots responded to two traffic alerts in quick succession, requiring them to both climb and descend to avoid the fighter jet.
Injuries and Immediate Aftermath
While no passengers reported injuries, two flight attendants sustained injuries during the sharp descent. Southwest Airlines issued a statement thanking the professionalism of its crew, emphasizing, “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees.” The flight ultimately landed safely in Las Vegas without further incident, but the scare left passengers visibly shaken.
Caitlin Burdi, another passenger, described her fear to Fox News Digital, saying, “It was terrifying. We really thought we were plummeting to a plane crash.” The pilot later addressed passengers over the intercom, confirming that the plane had narrowly avoided a collision.
Concerns About Military and Civilian Air Traffic
The incident has reignited concerns about the proximity of military aircraft to civilian flight paths. Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 identified the other aircraft as a Hawker Hunter fighter jet, but questions remain about its presence near a commercial airport. The U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense have not yet provided clarity on the matter.
In recent months, there have been several similar near-miss incidents involving military and civilian aircraft. According to WMBDradio, just a week prior, a SkyWest Airlines jet narrowly avoided a collision with a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber in North Dakota. Additionally, a March 28 incident involving a Delta Airbus A319 and four Air Force T-38 jets near Washington, D.C., highlighted similar risks. These events have prompted scrutiny of air traffic control protocols and coordination between military and civilian aviation.
FAA Investigation Underway
The FAA has confirmed that it is investigating the Burbank incident. In a statement shared with CBS News, the agency said, “Southwest Airlines Flight 1496 responded to an onboard alert that another aircraft was in the vicinity while in Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center airspace.” Investigators will review flight data, air traffic control communications, and the actions of both the Southwest crew and the military jet’s operators.
Experts have pointed out that such incidents underscore the importance of robust collision avoidance systems and meticulous air traffic control. Aviation analyst John Cox noted, “While commercial pilots are trained extensively for such scenarios, the increasing frequency of these close calls raises questions about the effectiveness of current airspace management strategies.”
Southwest Airlines has pledged full cooperation with the FAA and other authorities to determine the root causes of the incident and prevent future occurrences.
As investigations continue, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges involved in ensuring safety in increasingly crowded airspaces.