Mid-Air Scare: Southwest 1496 Avoids Collision

Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) jet operating as Southwest Airlines Flight 1496 made headlines on July 25, 2025, when it executed an emergency descent after departure to evade a potential mid-air collision. This dramatic event occurred in the airspace monitored by the Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center airspace and has prompted an immediate investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The Sudden Drop and Onboard Alerts

According to Fox News, just about six minutes into the flight from Burbank to Las Vegas, Flight 1496 plunged approximately 475 feet, descending from around 14,100 feet to 13,625 feet, according to flight tracking site FlightRadar24.

Passengers described the experience as a terrifying freefall, with one traveler, Steve, recalling it felt like a “significant drop” that led to screams and chaos inside the aircraft. He said the crew received onboard collision warnings, prompting the immediate maneuver.

Another passenger, comedian Jimmy Dore, posted after landing that several people were lifted from their seats and banged their heads on the cabin ceiling—a flight attendant needed medical attention. Fellow comedian Stef Zamorano joined the conversation, noting how shaken everyone was.

Aircraft Involved: Courtship in the Skies

The other aircraft involved was a Hawker Hunter, registered N335AX, flying at approximately 14,653 feet, close to the altitude of the Southwest plane. These vintage jets were reportedly operating in the same region at that time.

Industry sources say the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) triggered alerts telling one plane to climb while the other descended—in this case, Flight 1496 took evasive downward action. Despite media reports of alarm, the Southwest Airlines jet remained several miles apart.

Crew Response and Safety Measures

Southwest Airlines flight confirmed the cabin crew responded to two onboard traffic alerts during climb‑out from BUR, carrying out both ascent and descent as advised by the systems before continuing safely to Las Vegas.

In the statement, the airline emphasized the professionalism of its staff onboard, expressing gratitude for their swift actions. It stated that no civilian injuries were reported, though two flight attendants sustained minor injuries and received treatment after landing.

Hollywood Burbank Airport officials noted the incident appears to have occurred outside their controlled airspace, indicating that neither the tower nor operations logs registered a plunge or similar unusual activity nearby.

FAA Investigation and Regulatory Oversight:

The FAA has confirmed it is investigating the event that took place around 11 a.m. local time on July 25. Federal officials are reviewing flight tracking data, onboard records, and air traffic controller communications to determine what led to the warning.

Southwest Airlines is cooperating with regulators to fully understand the circumstances. The carrier reiterated that the safety of civilians and crew is its highest priority.

Context & Broader Implications:

This scare comes on the heels of other recent air alerts, including a narrowly avoided mid‑air collision with a B‑52 bomber earlier in the week. Aviation experts say such incidents highlight increasing concerns about air traffic control congestion and potential gaps in coordination between military and civilian flights.

While not a plane crash, the event generated widespread interest online, especially among aviation watchers. The flight tracking site logged the sudden drop, giving analysts fresh data to assess safety margins in crowded Los Angeles‑area air corridors.

What Passengers Reported:

• According to ABC news, Steve Ulasewicz described eight to ten seconds of free‑fall, with panicked screams, and a crew needed an icepack for her head injury.

• Jimmy Dore said several people hit the ceiling, and the cabin resembled chaos.

• Stef Zamorano shared via a video reply that the cabin was shaken, but once on the ground, gratitude replaced fear with spontaneous applause.