Southwest Flight Collision: Sudden Drop Near Burbank
July 26, 2025 • 2 minute read.
Southwest Airlines Flight 1496 encountered a dramatic near miss on July 25, 2025, when an onboard traffic alert forced the Boeing 737 to descend nearly 500 feet shortly after departing Hollywood Burbank Airport en route to Las Vegas. The maneuver, executed to avoid a mid‑air collision, left passengers shaken and resulted in injuries to two flight attendants, though the aircraft ultimately landed safely in Las Vegas.
What Happened During the Southwest Flight Collision
About six minutes into Flight 1496, the aircraft’s Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) issued two consecutive alerts—first prompting a climb, then an immediate descent—from 14,100 feet to 13,625 feet within roughly 30 seconds. According to the FAA, the flight shared airspace with a Hawker Hunter Mk. 58 military jet at a similar altitude, triggering the evasive action. Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 confirm the sudden altitude drop, categorizing this incident as a notable Burbank mid‑air incident.
Flight Descends to Avoid Collision
When TCAS detects a potential conflict, it automatically computes whether to climb or descend based on the relative altitude and trajectory of the other aircraft. In this case, Flight 1496 descended to steer clear of the Hawker Hunter, which was approximately 4.86 miles ahead at 14,653 feet. Passengers described an “8‑ to 10‑second free fall” that felt like “plummeting to a plane crash,” underlining the severity of the near miss aviation maneuver.
Passengers’ Reactions and Injuries
Chaos erupted in the cabin as unbelted passengers were lifted from their seats and passengers screamed. Stef Zamorano, a passenger, recounted seeing a woman’s hair tangled as she shot upward, crying, “I want to get off this plane. I want to be on the ground”. Two flight attendants sustained injuries and were treated upon landing in Las Vegas; no passengers required hospitalization. Comedian Jimmy Dore, also on board, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that, “Pilot said his collision warning went off & he needed to avoid plane coming at us”.
Just now on SW Flight #1496 Burbank to Las Vegas. Pilot had to dive aggressively to avoid midair collision over Burbank airport. Myself & Plenty of people flew out of their seats & bumped heads on ceiling, a flight attendant needed medical attention. Pilot said his collision
Implications for Southwest Airlines Safety
Southwest Airlines issued a statement praising its crew’s quick response and confirming full cooperation with the FAA investigation. While Southwest Airlines safety protocols rely heavily on automated TCAS advisories, this incident underscores the importance of continuous system checks and pilot training for flight descends to avoid collision scenarios. The airline reaffirmed, “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our Customers and Employees”.
What Is Near Miss Aviation and Collision Avoidance?
A “near miss” in aviation refers to an instance where aircraft come within close proximity—typically within 1,000 feet vertically and 2 miles horizontally—without colliding. Modern collision avoidance systems, mandated by the FAA, automatically alert pilots and recommend evasive maneuvers to maintain safe separation. Though rare, near misses like this sudden altitude drop at Burbank remind us that aviation safety remains a dynamic field requiring constant vigilance and technological advancement.
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