Southwest Flight's Dramatic Descent Avoids Collision, Two Injured

Two flight attendants were injured aboard a Southwest Airlines flight after the aircraft made an abrupt descent shortly after takeoff from Burbank, California, to Las Vegas, Nevada, to avoid a potential collision with a Hawker Hunter jet. The incident occurred on July 25, 2025, and has raised concerns regarding air traffic safety protocols and the handling of near-miss situations in U.S. airspace.

According to Southwest Airlines, flight 1496 experienced two alerts that prompted the pilots to climb and subsequently descend rapidly. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed it is investigating the incident, emphasizing that ensuring safety in the national airspace system remains a top priority. "We are aware of an incident involving Southwest Airlines flight 1496. The FAA is in contact with Southwest and we are investigating," stated a FAA spokesperson, as reported on the agency's official website.

As per reports from flight tracking services such as FlightRadar24 and AirNavRadar, the Southwest Boeing 737 avoided a potentially dangerous encounter with the Hawker Hunter, which is registered to a non-citizen corporation. This event follows another near-miss incident involving a Delta Airlines flight and a B-52 bomber earlier this week, raising further questions about air traffic safety.

Passenger Caitlin Burdi described the terrifying experience likening it to a theme park ride. "About 10 minutes into the flight, we plummeted pretty far, and I looked around, and everyone was like, ‘OK, that’s normal,’" Burdi told Fox News. "Then, within two seconds, it felt like the ride Tower of Terror, where we fell 20 to 30 feet in the air. The screaming, it was terrifying. We really thought we were plummeting to a plane crash."

Social media reactions have highlighted the chaos that ensued during the flight. YouTube personality Jimmy Dore, among the passengers, tweeted about the sudden drop, noting that many passengers flew out of their seats. "Myself and plenty of people flew out of their seats and bumped heads on the ceiling, a flight attendant needed medical attention," Dore wrote. The pilots reportedly acted promptly upon receiving collision warnings.

This incident has sparked discussions on the effectiveness of existing air traffic control measures. Dr. Jonathan Smith, a professor of aviation safety at the University of Southern California, commented, "While technology in aviation has significantly advanced, human factors and air traffic management systems must be continuously evaluated and improved to prevent such incidents."

The FAA's ongoing investigation will likely delve into the circumstances surrounding the near-miss, including the proximity of the Hawker Hunter jet and the actions taken by both the Southwest flight crew and air traffic controllers. This event underscores the critical need for rigorous oversight and the implementation of stringent safety protocols in U.S. airspace.

As aviation incidents continue to occur, the industry faces scrutiny regarding pilot training, air traffic control procedures, and the integration of advanced warning systems to prevent future occurrences. The implications of this incident extend beyond the immediate injuries reported; they could influence regulatory practices and lead to more stringent safety measures aimed at safeguarding passengers and crew in the future.