Southwest Airlines Flight 1496 faced a sudden emergency on July 25, 2025, just minutes after leaving Hollywood Burbank Airport in California. The pilots quickly dropped the plane’s altitude to avoid a possible crash with a decommissioned Hawker Hunter Mk.58 fighter jet. This quick action left two flight attendants hurt, with one needing hospital care after the plane landed safely in Las Vegas.
The incident happened about six minutes after takeoff, at 11:56 a.m. local time. The Boeing 737 dropped 475 feet in seconds, following two urgent warnings from its traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS). While no passengers were hurt, the two flight attendants suffered injuries—one minor, one more serious. The flight continued to Las Vegas without further trouble, and all passengers reached their destination safely.
Southwest Airlines confirmed that the crew followed TCAS instructions, which told them to both climb and then descend to avoid the other aircraft. The airline praised the flight attendants and pilots for their calm and professional response. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has started an investigation and is working closely with Southwest Airlines to understand what happened.
Passengers described the experience as frightening. Some said they were thrown from their seats and hit the ceiling. Comedian Jimmy Dore, who was on board, posted online about the “aggressive” dive and the pilot’s announcement that a collision warning had caused the sudden move.
The other plane involved was a Hawker Hunter Mk.58, a retired military jet, flying to Point Mugu Naval Air Station. Early reports show the two planes were several miles apart, but close enough for the TCAS to order immediate action. This event comes after a deadly crash earlier in 2025 between a Black Hawk Army helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet, which killed 67 people and led to more questions about FAA oversight and air traffic controller staffing.
The incident has brought new attention to the shortage of air traffic controllers and the need for strong collision avoidance systems. The FAA has faced criticism for not having enough staff, but says it has increased hiring for safety jobs in 2024 and 2025. Southwest Airlines is reviewing its own procedures and is fully cooperating with the FAA.
Aviation experts say TCAS maneuvers are standard when planes get too close. The system tells one plane to climb and the other to descend, helping them avoid each other. Experts also point out that while these events are rare, they show how important modern safety technology is, but also highlight the need for good air traffic control.
After such incidents, airlines must report to the FAA, review what happened, and care for any injured crew or passengers. The FAA’s investigation is ongoing, and new rules or changes could follow.
For more on air safety and FAA procedures, visit the official FAA website. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this event highlights the need for strong safety systems and well-trained flight attendants to protect everyone on board.
Learn Today
TCAS → Traffic Collision Avoidance System that warns pilots of nearby aircraft to prevent in-flight collisions.
Hawker Hunter Mk.58 → A retired British military jet involved in a near-miss with Southwest Flight 1496.
FAA → Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. agency responsible for regulating civil aviation safety.
Flight Attendants → Crew members responsible for passengers’ safety and comfort on commercial flights.
Boeing 737 → A commonly used twin-engine commercial airplane operated by Southwest Airlines in this incident.
This Article in a Nutshell
On July 25, 2025, Southwest Flight 1496 abruptly dropped altitude near Burbank to avoid collision with a retired military jet. The Boeing 737 safely landed in Las Vegas despite two injured flight attendants. This incident spotlights vital air safety technology and control staffing challenges facing the FAA today.
— By VisaVerge.com
