On a recent flight, Southwest Flight 1496 experienced a sharp descent of nearly 500 feet, as reported by various flight tracking websites. This incident marks the second occurrence in just a week where a U.S. commercial jet was forced to execute sudden flight maneuvers to evade a potential mid-air collision. This alarming trend raises concerns about air traffic safety and the need for improved communication between military and commercial aviation.
The incident involved a Southwest Boeing 737 that was en route to Las Vegas when the pilots received cockpit alerts indicating that another aircraft was dangerously close. According to both the airline and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the flight crew took immediate action to navigate the situation safely. The flight continued to its destination without further complications and landed in Las Vegas without incident.
Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 identified the other aircraft involved as a Hawker Hunter, a British-built fighter jet, which crossed the path of the Southwest flight. The two planes came alarmingly close, with a lateral distance of just 4.86 miles (7.82 km) and a vertical separation of only 350 feet (107 m). Despite the close call, the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Defense have not yet responded to inquiries regarding the military jet's presence near Burbank.
Following the incident, two flight attendants were treated for injuries, although specific details were not disclosed by the airline. Passengers reported a sense of panic onboard, with one individual, Caitlin Burdi, describing the experience as "terrifying." In an interview, she expressed her fear, stating, "We really thought we were plummeting to a plane crash." The pilot later addressed passengers over the intercom, informing them that they had nearly collided with another aircraft.
The situation unfolded as the Southwest crew reacted to two onboard traffic alerts shortly after taking off from Hollywood Burbank Airport, located north of Los Angeles. The pilots were required to adjust their altitude, climbing and descending to comply with the alerts and avoid a potential collision.
This incident is part of a concerning pattern, as it appears to be the fourth close call involving military aircraft since March. Recently, the Air Force confirmed that a B-52 bomber from Minot Air Force Base conducted a ceremonial flyover at the North Dakota State Fair just before the SkyWest incident. The Air Force stated that the cockpit crew was in contact with local air traffic control throughout the flyover, though the Minot International Airport control tower did not notify them of the incoming commercial flight.
Moreover, the FAA has noted that air traffic services at Minot are managed by a private company, not by FAA employees, which raises questions about communication protocols in such high-stakes situations. Additionally, investigations are underway by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA regarding a close call on March 28 involving a Delta Airbus A319 and several Air Force jets near Reagan Washington National Airport.
In early May, the FAA took preventive measures by barring Army helicopter flights around the Pentagon following another near miss, highlighting the ongoing challenges in ensuring air traffic safety.
This series of incidents underscores the critical need for enhanced coordination between military and commercial aviation sectors to prevent future occurrences and ensure the safety of all passengers in the skies.
