Southwest Flight Attendants Injured After Evasive Maneuver Over California

A Southwest Airlines flight had to make an evasive move to avoid another aircraft, resulting in two flight attendants being injured. The pilot dropped the plane 625 feet to avoid a collision, with the two planes being only 350 feet apart vertically. The incident is under investigation by the FAA. This comes a week after a Delta Air Lines jet was forced to abort landing to avoid a midair collision with a B-52 bomber.

On July 25, Southwest Airlines Flight 1496 experienced a near-miss incident with a privately owned fighter jet, resulting in two injured flight attendants. The incident, which occurred near Burbank Airport, underscores ongoing safety concerns in the aviation industry [1].

Southwest Flight 1496, a Boeing 737-700, was en route to Las Vegas when it received an onboard alert that another aircraft was in the vicinity. The crew had to perform evasive maneuvers, including climbing and descending, to avoid a collision. The fighter jet involved was a MK-58 Hawker Hunter aircraft headed to Naval Base Ventura County [1].

The near-miss incident, which occurred only a week after a Delta Air Lines jet was forced to abort landing to avoid a midair collision with a B-52 bomber, highlights the need for stringent safety protocols and thorough investigation into such incidents. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the incident, and the Hawker Hunter’s flight clearance has been temporarily suspended as a precaution [1].

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining safety standards and protocols in the aviation industry. As the industry continues to grow, so does the need for robust safety measures to protect both passengers and crew members.

References:
[1] https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2025/07/28/jet-headed-to-naval-base-ventura-county-point-mugu-in-near-miss-with-southwest-plane-faa/85382388007/