• By Sakshi Srivastava
  • Sat, 26 Jul 2025 03:35 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Southwest airlines midair collision: A Southwest Airlines flight departing from Hollywood Burbank Airport sharply descended nearly 500 feet on Friday to avoid a midair collision, leaving two flight attendants injured and passengers shaken. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident, which involved a military-style aircraft flying dangerously close to the commercial jet.

Southwest Flight 1496 had just taken off from Burbank, California, and was climbing at around 14,100 feet when it suddenly dropped to 13,625 feet in less than 20 seconds. According to flight-tracking data and eyewitness accounts, the plane was in a "free fall" as passengers screamed and several were thrown from their seats. Comedian Jimmy Dore, who was aboard the flight, said on X (formerly Twitter), “Pilot had to dive aggressively to avoid midair collision over Burbank airport. Myselfandplenty of people flew out of their seats & bumped heads on ceiling.” Dore also said a flight attendant needed medical attention due to injuries sustained during the drop.

ALSO READ: From Russia’s Angara Airlines Crash To Malaysia Airlines MH17: A Look At Aviation Tragedies That Shook The 21st Century

Pilots Reacted To Traffic Alerts

Southwest Airlines confirmed that its pilots executed the drastic maneuver in response to two onboard traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) alerts, which are automatic cockpit warnings triggered when another aircraft enters dangerously close proximity. The aircraft involved in the near-miss was identified as a Hawker Hunter, a British-built military-style fighter jet operated by Hunter Aviation International. FlightRadar24 confirmed the planes came within 4.86 miles laterally and only 350 feet vertically of one another. Passengers said the pilot later informed them that the jet’s software guided the evasive move to comply with the alerts and avoid a catastrophic collision.

Injuries And Panic Onboard

While no passengers were reported injured, two flight attendants were treated for injuries. One passenger, Steve Ulasewicz, told NBC, “The plane was just in a free fall. It was pandemonium.” Another passenger, Caitlin Burdi, said, “It was terrifying. We really thought we were plummeting to a plane crash.” The pilot stabilized the Boeing 737 shortly after the incident, and the aircraft continued to Las Vegas, where it landed without further problems.

The incident is the second near-miss involving a US commercial flight in one week. Just days earlier, a SkyWest (Delta Connection) flight had to take evasive action to avoid a B-52 bomber near Minot, North Dakota. This is also at least the fourth incident involving military aircraft near civilian jets since March. In January, a US Army helicopter collided with a regional jet near Reagan National Airport, killing 67 people. In response to these growing concerns, the FAA has banned Army helicopters from flying near the Pentagon after another near miss in May.

ALSO READ: Russia Plane Crash Video: First Visuals From Crash Site Surfaces, Reports Say Pilot's Initiated Go-Around Procedure

Ongoing Investigation And Safety Concerns

The FAA confirmed that it is actively investigating the Burbank incident, including the presence and flight plan of the Hawker Hunter jet. According to ABC News, the Hawker pilots reported having the Southwest plane in sight, but air traffic control may not have properly instructed them—raising questions about coordination and airspace safety. Southwest Airlines released a statement commending its crew: “We appreciate the professionalism of our Flight Crew and Flight Attendants in responding to this event. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees.”