Southwest Flight From Burbank to Las Vegas Suddenly Drops, Terrifying Passengers

Passengers on Southwest Airlines Flight 1496 experienced a heart-stopping moment Friday morning when their plane took a sudden dive just minutes into the journey from Burbank to Las Vegas. 

According to flight tracking data from FlightRadar24, the aircraft rapidly descended 475 feet roughly six minutes after takeoff, dropping from 14,100 feet to 13,625 feet in an apparent mid-air collision avoidance maneuver.

Avoiding a Close Call

Southwest later confirmed that the sharp descent was triggered by a collision avoidance alert. The system advised the pilots to drop altitude, a standard protocol when another aircraft is detected within potentially unsafe proximity. 

The second aircraft involved, a Hawker Hunter with the tail number N335AX, was flying at approximately 14,653 feet when the Southwest jet began its controlled descent. The two planes were separated by about 4.86 miles at their closest point.

Preliminary data shows the avoidance maneuver worked as intended, but the jolt left a lasting impact on those aboard.

Screams, Injuries, and Relief

Steve Ulasewicz, a passenger on the flight, described the event as an "8- to 10-second drop of free fall." He told ABC News that the sudden plunge caused passengers to scream and brace for the worst. "Definitely felt like that was it. Like this is how I'm going to go out," Ulasewicz said.

While no passengers were immediately reported injured, two flight attendants sustained injuries during the incident, according to a statement from Southwest. The airline praised its crew for their quick response and professionalism under pressure.

FAA Launches Investigation

Southwest Airlines is cooperating with the Federal Aviation Administration as the agency investigates the incident. "Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees," the airline stated.

"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," the FAA said in a statement. 

As the FAA works to piece together what happened, passengers are left replaying the harrowing moment that turned a routine 45-minute hop into an unforgettable ordeal.

For many, what started as a quick trip to Vegas turned into a reminder that even the shortest flights can come with unexpected turbulence.

Related: FAA Launches Investigation After Delta Jet’s Near Miss With B-52 Bomber