A Southwest Airline jet heading to Las Vegas from Southern California had a dramatic plunge shortly after takeoff. The flight crew responded to an in-flight alert about another nearby aircraft, requiring the pilot to both climb and descend.
The incident involved Southwest flight 1496 departing from Hollywood Burbank Airport just before noon. Passengers reported the plane suddenly dropping, with data showing a descent of approximately 300 feet in 36 seconds.
Comedian Jimmy Dore shared that the pilot’s collision warning prompted immediate action to avoid the approaching plane. The flight was in the same airspace as a Hawker Hunter Mk. 58, a British fighter plane owned by Hawker Hunter Aviation Ltd.
Authorities at Hollywood Burbank Airport said there were no records of the reported plunge. Despite the scare, the flight continued to Las Vegas and landed safely. Southwest Airlines is collaborating with the FAA to investigate the incident.
This event underscores ongoing concerns about aviation safety following recent incidents, like the tragic midair collision in January over Washington, D.C., that resulted in multiple fatalities.
