Southwest flight plummets nearly 500 feet ‘in a freefall’ to avoid ‘midair collision,’ leaving 2 flight attendants injured
Two flight attendants were injured after a commercial Southwest Airlines jet suddenly dropped 475 feet to avoid a “midair collision” shortly after takeoff at a Los Angeles-area airport Friday, with one frightened passenger saying the aircraft “was just in a freefall.”
Southwest Flight 1496 dove from 14,100 feet to 13,625 feet just six minutes after taking off from Hollywood Burbank Airport, according to FlightRadar24 data.
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The pilot told concerned flyers that the drastic maneuver was carried out to avoid “a midair collision,” passenger Steve Ulasewicz told ABC News.
“The plane was just in a freefall. It was pandemonium,” he told NBC 4 Los Angeles.
Southwest said two flight attendants were injured during the desperate life-saving swerve, the outlet reported.
Another plane, a Hawker Hunter aircraft, was near the Southwest plane at approximately 14,633 feet, according to the report.
The pilots of the Hawker Hunter reported having the Southwest plane in sight, but were not properly instructed by air traffic control, ABC News reported, citing sources.
The plane continued to its destination without further incident, Southwest said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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