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Southwest flight plummets, injuring flight attendants

July 26, 2025

Southwest Airlines Flight 1496 from Burbank to Las Vegas experienced a rapid elevation drop on Friday after responding to traffic alerts, injuring two flight attendants. Passengers reported the pilot had to take evasive action to avoid colliding with another aircraft, which CNN identified as a privately owned Hawker Hunter fighter jet that passed dangerously close to the commercial flight. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating this incident, which occurred less than a week after another near-miss involving a Delta regional flight and a US military bomber.

Who is affected

  • Passengers on Southwest Airlines Flight 1496
  • Two flight attendants who were injured
  • Southwest Airlines crew members
  • Stand-up comedian Jimmy Dore and his colleague Stef Zamorano who were onboard

What action is being taken

  • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident
  • Southwest Airlines is "engaged" with the FAA to "further understand the circumstances"
  • The airline is responding to the event through their flight crew and attendants

Why it matters

  • The incident represents a serious safety concern in commercial aviation
  • It occurred less than one week after another near-miss between a Delta flight and a US military bomber
  • The situation endangered the lives of all passengers and crew on board
  • It highlights potential issues with air traffic control, as the pilot reportedly mentioned losing contact with controllers
  • The FAA maintains that "ensuring the safety of everyone in the national airspace system remains our top priority"

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC

Southwest flight plummets, injuring flight attendants