Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants Injured After Plane Makes Evasive Maneuvers to Avoid Another Aircraft

Two Southwest Airlines flight attendants were injured after the pilot had to make a sharp evasive maneuver to avoid another aircraft. The plane dropped 475 feet and the crew received traffic safety alerts before continuing to Las Vegas. The incident is under investigation by the FAA. The two attendants are being treated for their injuries.

Two Southwest Airlines flight attendants were injured after the pilot had to make a sharp evasive maneuver to avoid another aircraft. The plane dropped 475 feet and the crew received traffic safety alerts before continuing to Las Vegas. The incident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The two attendants are being treated for their injuries [1].

The incident occurred on July 25, 2025, when Southwest Flight 1496, operating a Boeing 737, took off from Hollywood Burbank Airport. The plane was en route to Las Vegas when it encountered a Hawker Hunter fighter jet. The Hawker Hunter was flying from El Paso, Texas to Ventura County Airport in Oxnard, California [2].

According to passenger Steve Ulasewicz, the Southwest plane dropped 475 feet and then climbed back up 600 feet over the course of about a minute. The fighter jet went up about 100 feet in just a few seconds [2]. The pilot responded to two onboard traffic alerts, which prompted the evasive maneuver to avoid a midair collision [1].

Southwest Airlines confirmed that two flight attendants were injured during the maneuver. The airline stated, "We appreciate the professionalism of our Flight Crew and Flight Attendants in responding to this event. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees" [1]. The FAA is currently investigating the incident to determine the cause of the traffic alerts and the circumstances surrounding the near-midair collision.

This incident highlights the importance of air traffic control and the role of onboard traffic alerts in maintaining safety in the skies. It also underscores the professionalism of Southwest Airlines' crew in responding to unexpected and potentially dangerous situations.

References:
[1] https://nypost.com/2025/07/25/us-news/southwest-flight-plummets-nearly-500-feet-in-a-freefall-to-avoid-midair-collision-leaving-2-flight-attendants-injured/
[2] https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/25/us/southwest-fighter-jet-close-call