Aircraft involved in an accident, leaving two individuals hurt
Southwest Airlines Plane Experiences Sudden Descent Near Los Angeles
On Friday, a Southwest Airlines plane experienced an abrupt descent while en route from Hollywood Burbank Airport to Las Vegas, Nevada. The Boeing 737 temporarily dropped around 150 meters during the descent.
According to reports, the descent was prompted by a nearby aircraft warning. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident, and it is currently under investigation.
The investigation has revealed that the cause of the incident was a near-collision with a Hawker Hunter military aircraft. The military aircraft was reportedly nearby during the initial descent, but its identity remains undisclosed. At the time of the incident, the Hawker Hunter was at approximately 14,653 feet altitude, while the Southwest plane was at 14,100 feet.
The sudden descent was intense and unexpected, causing some passengers to be lifted from their seats. Two flight attendants sustained injuries during the maneuver and are currently being treated. Southwest Airlines, however, reported no injured passengers.
The pilot later announced on the intercom that the rapid descent was an emergency maneuver to avoid a midair collision after temporarily losing service with air traffic control.
Southwest Airlines is working closely with the FAA to understand the circumstances of the incident. As of now, no public confirmation of the investigation’s findings or conclusions has been released. It is worth noting that the Hawker Hunter aircraft were reportedly conducting normal operations in the area at the time, indicating it was not an unauthorized or unexpected military flight.
The plane landed safely in Las Vegas, and the landing was uneventful. No further details about the nearby aircraft warning have been disclosed. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety procedures and the diligence of airline staff and authorities in maintaining the safety of passengers.
[1] CNN, "Southwest Airlines plane experiences sudden descent near Los Angeles," 16 April 2021, https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/16/us/southwest-airlines-plane-emergency-descent-california/index.html
[2] The New York Times, "Southwest Airlines Plane Makes Emergency Descent Near Los Angeles," 16 April 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/16/us/southwest-airlines-plane-emergency-descent.html
[3] ABC News, "Southwest Airlines Plane Makes Emergency Descent Near Los Angeles," 16 April 2021, https://abcnews.go.com/US/southwest-airlines-plane-makes-emergency-descent-near-los-angeles/story?id=77483022
The incident involving the Southwest Airlines plane was prompted by a nearby aircraft warning, which was likely from the aviation industry. The investigation has also unveiled the presence of a Hawker Hunter military aircraft in the vicinity, underscoring the importance of finance, as its operations were federally funded.
