A Southwest Airlines flight from Burbank to Las Vegas experienced a terrifying in-flight emergency when it abruptly nosedived over 400 feet shortly after takeoff to avoid a potential midair collision. Flight 1496 was climbing when the cockpit received a collision alert involving a nearby Hawker Hunter F.58 jet flying at an altitude of approximately 14,653 feet, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The flight crew responded by executing a sudden descent, plunging 300 feet in just over 30 seconds.
Terrifying Moments Caught On Radar
Passengers were thrown from their seats with some hitting the cabin ceiling due to the unexpected drop. At least one flight attendant sustained injuries during the turbulence.
🚨🚨Breaking News : At Southwest Airlines Flight WN1496 From Burbank to Las Vegas , pilots had to dive aggressively to avoid midaircollision with N335AX a Hawker Hunter F.58 aircraft.
According to passengers, pilot said his collision warning went off & he needed to avoid plane… pic.twitter.com/H37KiQBAUC
— aircraftmaintenancengineer (@airmainengineer) July 25, 2025
The incident was captured on Flightradar and quickly spread across social media, showing the aircraft’s dramatic altitude loss. Eyewitnesses on board described the event as “horrifying”.
Crew Applauded After Safe Landing
Despite the scare, the flight stabilized and continued on to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, where it landed without further incident. Passengers erupted in applause, praising the crew for their swift response under pressure.
Southwest Airlines has confirmed the incident and is fully cooperating with the FAA’s investigation. The airline emphasised its commitment to safety and said it is working to determine how such a near miss occurred.
