A Southwest Airlines flight from Southern California to Las Vegas experienced a dramatic drop shortly after takeoff, triggered by an alert about a nearby aircraft. This sudden maneuver resulted in some passengers being lifted from their seats, and two flight attendants were injured. Stef Zamorano, a passenger on the flight, described the unsettling experience, noting how a woman without a seatbelt was propelled into the air.
The flight, Southwest 1496, departed from Hollywood Burbank Airport just before noon. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the plane was responding to an onboard alert about another aircraft in its vicinity, prompting the pilot to perform evasive maneuvers. The FAA is currently investigating the incident.
Comedian Jimmy Dore, another passenger, mentioned in a social media post that the pilot had to act swiftly to avoid a potential collision. Flight tracking data indicates the plane dropped approximately 300 feet in 36 seconds during the incident.
Although the control tower and operations at Hollywood Burbank Airport reported no record of the plunge, the flight continued to its destination in Las Vegas and landed without further issues. Southwest Airlines stated that they are collaborating with the FAA to gain a clearer understanding of what occurred.
This incident adds to ongoing concerns about aviation safety, following a tragic midair collision in January over Washington, D.C., which resulted in the loss of 67 lives.