Southwest Jet Plummets 500 Feet in Heart-Stopping Near-Miss Collision

A Southwest Airlines flight made a dramatic 500-foot plunge just minutes after takeoff Friday to avoid a potential midair collision over Los Angeles, according to flight data and passenger accounts.

The Incident
Southwest Flight 1496, en route from Hollywood Burbank Airport to Las Vegas, abruptly descended from 14,100 to 13,600 feet six minutes after departure. The FAA confirmed pilots reacted to an onboard traffic alert, though the agency has not yet released details on the other aircraft involved. Flightradar24 data shows a decommissioned Hawker Hunter fighter jet was operating in the same airspace at the time, heading toward Point Mugu Naval Air Station.

Passenger Chaos
Comedian Jimmy Dore, who was aboard the flight, described the terrifying moment on social media: "The plane took an aggressive dive. Myself & plenty of people flew out of their seats and bumped heads on the ceiling. Pilot said his collision warning went off—he had to avoid a plane coming at us. Wow."

While no passengers reported injuries, two flight attendants required medical attention—one treated onsite and another hospitalized after landing. The Boeing 737 ultimately continued to Las Vegas without further incident.

Broader Safety Concerns
The scare follows a deadly February collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet near Washington, D.C., which killed 67 people. Critics have blamed chronic air traffic controller shortages for rising close-call risks, though the FAA maintains safety positions remain prioritized.

"Safety-critical roles are exempt from hiring freezes," emphasized FAA spokesman Steve Kulm, noting expanded recruitment of controllers and inspectors.

The agency continues investigating Friday’s event as aviation safety protocols face renewed scrutiny.