A Southwest flight out of Burbank Airport experienced a steep drop that injured two flight attendants Friday. The pilot told passengers he was avoiding a collision.

Southwest flight from Burbank drops hundreds of feet to avoid possible collision

A Southwest flight climbing away from Burbank Airport suddenly descended hundreds of feet Friday afternoon, possibly to avoid a mid-air collision.

The drop of around 500 feet came moments after the plane had been gaining altitude steadily since takeoff, causing tense moments on the plane. Passengers said on social media that they were startled by the move.

A military jet was headed southwest to Naval Base Ventura County in Point Mugu and was at a similar altitude — 14,525 feet — when the Southwest flight dropped, per Flightradar24.

The planes were around five miles apart and within 400 vertical feet of one another, headed in opposite directions, when the Southwest flight took evasive action, flight data on the website showed. The fighter jet stopped its own steady descent and maintained its height for several minutes after the incident.

  • LemmyThinkAboutThat@lemmy.myserv.oneOPEnglish
    4·
    9 days ago

    Air traffic controllers have access to sophisticated radar systems that provide an overview of the airspace they control, and they have communication tools to coordinate flight paths with the air crew. Pilots lack the tools necessary to get an overview of the airspace, so they have to rely on air traffic controllers to guide the aircraft through congested airspace.

    Got it from an old article that’s quite informative.

    I agree with @mkwt…