Plane Drops 500ft After Takeoff, Avoids Colliding with Fighter Jet by 107 Meters in US
In a harrowing incident, a Southwest Airlines flight dropped 500 feet mid-air while taking off from an airport in California to avoid colliding with a Hawker Hunter fighter jet. The incident has raised concerns about air traffic safety and has led to an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The incident occurred on February 17, 2023, when Southwest Airlines Flight 4011 took off from Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California, headed to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The Boeing 737-700 aircraft was carrying 109 passengers and five crew members.
According to reports, the pilots of the Southwest Airlines flight received two onboard traffic alerts, which alerted them to the presence of the fighter jet in their vicinity. The alerts were triggered by the plane’s advanced collision avoidance system, which uses radar and GPS data to detect other aircraft in the vicinity.
The pilots took immediate action to avoid the collision, dropping the plane by 500 feet and altering its course to ensure a safe distance from the fighter jet. The incident was so close that the two planes came within 7.82 kilometers of each other laterally and 107 meters vertically.
Unfortunately, two flight attendants on board the Southwest Airlines flight were injured during the incident. The exact nature of their injuries is not yet clear, but they are reported to be receiving medical treatment.
The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident, which is ongoing. The agency has stated that it will be working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident and will be reviewing data from the flight’s onboard systems, as well as radar data and eyewitness accounts.
The incident has raised concerns about air traffic safety and has highlighted the importance of advanced collision avoidance systems in preventing mid-air collisions. The FAA has implemented several measures in recent years to improve air traffic safety, including the implementation of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) technology, which allows aircraft to broadcast their location and altitude to air traffic controllers and other nearby aircraft.
The incident has also raised questions about the role of military aircraft in civilian airspace. The Hawker Hunter is a vintage fighter jet that is often used for aerobatic performances and flight demonstrations. However, it is not equipped with the same advanced collision avoidance systems as commercial airliners, which raises concerns about the safety of civilian aircraft when flying in close proximity to military aircraft.
In a statement, Southwest Airlines said that the safety of its passengers and crew is its top priority and that it is fully cooperating with the FAA’s investigation into the incident. The airline has also offered its support to the injured flight attendants.
The incident is a sobering reminder of the importance of air traffic safety and the need for continuous improvement in this area. As the aviation industry continues to evolve and become more complex, it is essential that airlines, air traffic controllers, and regulatory agencies work together to ensure that the skies remain safe for all aircraft.
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