Southwest Plane Takes Dive to Avoid Midair Collision, FAA Investigating

Southwest Airlines Flight 1496 took a nearly 500-foot dive to avoid a midair collision with another aircraft in the Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center airspace. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident, which occurred six minutes after takeoff from Hollywood Burbank Airport. One flight attendant was treated for minor injuries, and another was transported to a hospital. The flight continued to Las Vegas without further incident.

Southwest Airlines Flight 1496 took a dramatic dive to avoid a midair collision with another aircraft in the Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center airspace. The incident occurred six minutes after takeoff from Hollywood Burbank Airport on Friday. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the cause of the near-miss.

The aircraft, a Southwest Boeing 737, was en route to Las Vegas when it suddenly dropped from 14,100 feet to 13,600 feet in response to onboard alerts indicating another aircraft's presence in the vicinity. The rapid descent was necessary to comply with traffic alerts issued by the FAA to the pilots.

No injuries were reported among passengers, but one flight attendant was treated for minor injuries and another was transported to a hospital after landing in Las Vegas. The flight continued its journey uneventfully to its destination.

The incident comes amidst growing concerns about air traffic oversight and pilot training following a series of aviation incidents, including a midair collision earlier this year between a Black Hawk Army helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet over the D.C. region, which resulted in 67 fatalities.

The FAA has stated that none of the positions eliminated have been related to air safety, and that it has expanded hiring and onboarding for air traffic controllers and safety professionals in response to the incidents.

References:
[1] https://www.npr.org/2025/07/26/g-s1-79749/southwest-aircraft-takes-a-dive-to-avoid-midair-collision
[2] https://www.newsweek.com/two-injured-southwest-airlines-flight-forced-dive-avoid-collision-2104378
[3] https://www.kpbs.org/news/national/2025/07/26/southwest-aircraft-takes-a-dive-to-avoid-midair-collision