Two Southwest Airlines flight attendants were injured following a significant incident involving flight 1496, which was travelling from Southern California to Las Vegas. Shortly after take-off, the aircraft experienced a sharp descent triggered by an alert concerning a nearby plane, as reported by both the airline and passengers on board.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft was responding to onboard warnings about another aircraft in its vicinity, prompting the crew to perform a series of climbing and descending maneuvers. The FAA has since launched an investigation into the matter.
The flight took off from Hollywood Burbank Airport shortly after midday. Passengers recounted a sudden drop of the aircraft, with one individual, comedian Jimmy Dore, stating on social media that the pilot received a collision warning and needed to avoid an incoming plane. However, Mike Christensen, a spokesperson for Burbank Airport, noted that there was no record of the flight’s abrupt plunge within the airport’s control tower or operations tracking.
Despite the concerning events, Southwest Airlines confirmed that the flight continued its journey to Las Vegas and landed without further incidents. The airline is currently collaborating with the FAA to gain a clearer understanding of the circumstances surrounding this alarming occurrence.