A Southwest flight Burbank collision was narrowly avoided Friday when Flight 1496 performed an emergency descent just minutes after takeoff from Hollywood Burbank Airport. The aircraft plunged 475 feet in a dramatic maneuver to avoid colliding with a privately owned Hawker Hunter fighter jet that crossed less than two miles in front of it.
The incident occurred around noon on July 25, 2025, as the Las Vegas-bound flight carried passengers through what should have been routine airspace. Instead, collision alarms sounded in the cockpit, forcing pilots to take immediate evasive action that left passengers gripping their seats and flight attendants injured.
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Emergency Descent Details Revealed
Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 shows Southwest Flight 1496 abruptly descended from 14,100 feet to 13,625 feet approximately six minutes after departing Hollywood Burbank Airport. The sudden altitude change occurred when the commercial aircraft encountered the Hawker Hunter Mk. 58 fighter jet in the same airspace.
Passenger Steve Ulasewicz described the experience as feeling like “significant” turbulence, though the reality was far more serious. The aircraft’s collision avoidance system detected the approaching fighter jet and triggered the emergency descent protocol.
Key Points Summary
- Flight Details: Southwest Flight 1496 from Burbank to Las Vegas on July 25, 2025
- Altitude Drop: 475 feet descent from 14,100 to 13,625 feet in emergency maneuver
- Other Aircraft: Privately owned Hawker Hunter fighter jet crossed flight path
- Injuries: Two flight attendants treated for injuries sustained during sudden descent
- Passenger Impact: No customer injuries reported; passengers experienced dramatic drop
- Response Time: Emergency action taken within six minutes of takeoff
Flight Attendants Injured During Incident
While no passenger injuries were immediately reported, two flight attendants sustained injuries during the emergency maneuver and received medical treatment. The sudden descent likely caught crew members off-guard as they performed their normal post-takeoff duties.
Southwest Airlines praised their crew’s professionalism in handling the dangerous situation. The airline stated, “We appreciate the professionalism of our Flight Crew and Flight Attendants in responding to this event” and emphasized that safety remains their top priority.
Investigation and Safety Concerns
The Federal Aviation Administration and Southwest Airlines will likely investigate how the Hawker Hunter entered the commercial flight’s airspace without proper coordination. Fighter jets, even privately owned ones, must follow strict protocols when operating near commercial aviation routes.
This near-miss highlights ongoing concerns about airspace management around busy airports like Burbank, which serves the greater Los Angeles area. The incident demonstrates how quickly aviation professionals must react when unexpected aircraft appear on collision courses.
The successful avoidance of what could have been a catastrophic midair collision showcases the effectiveness of modern collision avoidance systems and pilot training. Both technologies proved crucial in preventing a potential disaster that could have claimed dozens of lives.
Flight 1496 continued safely to Las Vegas after the emergency descent, though passengers certainly arrived with an unforgettable story about their brush with aviation history.
This developing story continues to unfold as investigators examine the circumstances that led to this dangerous encounter. Stay tuned for updates as more details emerge about this remarkable aviation incident.