Southwest Flight Plunges to Avoid Midair Collision Near Burbank
Southwest Flight 1496 from Burbank rapidly descended to avoid a midair collision with a fighter jet, injuring two flight attendants. The FAA is investigating.
Overview
- Southwest Flight 1496 from Hollywood Burbank Airport rapidly descended 300-475 feet in 36 seconds shortly after takeoff, to avoid a potential midair collision.
- The pilot initiated an abrupt descent, responding to onboard traffic alerts, to evade a privately owned Hawker Hunter fighter jet near Los Angeles.
- Passengers reported the pilot aggressively changed course during the incident, which occurred around 11 a.m. local time, causing a dramatic plunge.
- While the flight landed safely in Las Vegas, two Southwest flight attendants sustained injuries during the sudden descent, though no passengers were harmed.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an official investigation into the near-miss event to determine the circumstances and prevent future occurrences.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the dramatic nature of the event and linking it to broader aviation safety concerns. They use evocative language like "dramatic plunge" and prioritize passenger accounts of fear. The narrative culminates in connecting this "close call" to a fatal mid-air collision, suggesting a pattern of safety issues.
"A Southwest Airlines jet heading to Las Vegas from Southern California took a dramatic plunge shortly after takeoff Friday in response to an alert about a nearby plane, sending some passengers flying out of their seats and injuring two flight attendants."
Fortune"The plane suddenly jolted shortly after takeoff then felt like it was falling, sending some passengers flying out of their seats and injuring two flight attendants."
Chicago Tribune"The flight continued and landed successfully in Las Vegas, the airline confirmed."
USA TODAY"A Southwest Airline jet heading to Las Vegas from Southern California took a dramatic plunge shortly after takeoff Friday in response to an alert about a nearby plane, injuring two flight attendants, authorities and passengers said."
ABC News"Flight 1496 from Hollywood Burbank Airport to Las Vegas plummeted rapidly, lifting passengers out of their seats and injuring two flight attendants."
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FAQ
Southwest Flight 1496 rapidly descended to avoid a potential midair collision with a privately owned Hawker Hunter fighter jet, in response to onboard traffic collision avoidance system alerts.
Yes, two Southwest flight attendants were injured during the abrupt descent, but no passengers were reported harmed.
Preliminary data shows the two planes were approximately 4.86 miles apart at their closest point when the collision avoidance maneuvers were initiated.
The FAA has launched an official investigation to determine the circumstances of the near-miss and to help prevent future occurrences.
Yes, despite the abrupt descent, the flight continued on to Las Vegas and landed safely without further incident.
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