Southwest Airlines flight abruptly drops roughly 400 feet to avoid mid-air collision with another plane

LOS ANGELES, CA – A Southwest Airlines flight from Hollywood-Burbank to Las Vegas was forced to make an abrupt and dramatic plunge to avoid colliding with another plane Friday.

According to flight data reviewed by KPRC 2, the flight descended approximately 475 feet in a matter of less than a minute.

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Southwest Airlines confirmed the incident and said the flight received two onboard traffic alerts as they were climbing following takeoff.

Airplanes are equipped with a system called TCAS. The Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is an onboard safety system that alerts pilots to nearby aircraft and provides instructions to avoid mid-air collisions.

If activated, TCAS issues real-time voice commands—like “Climb” or “Descend”—to each aircraft involved, coordinating opposite maneuvers so they steer safely away from one another.

Southwest Airlines statement:

“The Crew of Southwest Flight 1496 responded to two onboard traffic alerts Friday afternoon while climbing out of Burbank, Cal., requiring them to climb and descend to comply with the alerts. The flight continued to Las Vegas, where it landed uneventfully. Southwest is engaged with the Federal Aviation Administration to further understand the circumstances. No injuries were immediately reported by Customers, but two Flight Attendants are being treated for injuries. 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.”

The two planes were within 500 feet of elevation between the two and were on a near course, according to flight tracking data reviewed by KPRC 2.

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The tail number associated with the other aircraft which the Southwest flight descended to avoid is listed as a Hawker Hunter jet and is registered as being owned by Hunter Aviation International Inc., according to FAA data.

The FAA confirms they are investigating the incident.

FAA statement:

“Southwest Airlines Flight 1496 responded to an onboard alert that another aircraft was in the vicinity while in Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center airspace. The FAA is investigating the event that occurred around 11 a.m. local time on Friday, July 25.”