Southwest Flight Collision

 A Southwest Airlines flight narrowly avoided a mid-air collision on Friday, July 25, 2025, shortly after takeoff from Hollywood Burbank Airport in California.

✈️ Incident Summary

• Flight: Southwest Airlines Flight 1496

• Route: Burbank, CA → Las Vegas, NV

• Aircraft: Boeing 737

• Other Aircraft Involved: Hawker Hunter Mk. 58 (a British-built fighter jet)

• Altitude Drop: 475 feet — from 14,100 ft to 13,625 ft

• Time of Incident: ~6 minutes after take off

⚠️ What Happened

• The Southwest jet received onboard collision alerts and performed an abrupt descent to avoid the Hawker Hunter, which was flying at 14,653 ft.

• The planes came within 7.82 km laterally and 350 ft vertically.

• The pilot announced the maneuver was necessary due to loss of air traffic control signal and imminent collision risk.

😨 Passenger Experience

• Passengers described the drop as terrifying, likening it to an amusement park ride.

• Some were thrown from their seats, hitting the ceiling.

• Two flight attendants were injured and required medical attention.

• Comedian Jimmy Dore, onboard, posted that “plenty of people flew out of their seats”.

🛬 Aftermath

• The flight landed safely in Las Vegas.

• Southwest Airlines is cooperating with the FAA, which has launched an investigation.

• The Hawker Hunter was reportedly part of a routine operation in the area.