By ABDULLAH 
In a terrifying incident that shook passengers and crew alike, Southwest Airlines Flight 1496 made a dramatic 475-foot plunge shortly after takeoff from Hollywood Burbank Airport on Friday, July 25, 2025, narrowly avoiding a mid-air collision with a Hawker Hunter fighter jet. The near-miss left two flight attendants injured and raised fresh concerns over aviation safety in U.S. airspace.
The Incident: 10 Seconds of Terror
According to flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 and FlightAware, Flight 1496 — en route to Las Vegas — departed just before noon and was climbing steadily when onboard warning systems issued two critical collision alerts. In response, the pilot was forced to first climb and then dive, bringing the aircraft down from 14,100 feet to 13,625 feet within just 36 seconds.
Passengers described the scene as “pandemonium,” with one comparing it to Disney’s Tower of Terror ride.
“It was just a freefall. People were screaming and flying out of their seats,” said passenger Steve Ulasewicz to NBC 4 Los Angeles.
“It felt like the pilot had to dive aggressively to avoid crashing,” comedian Jimmy Dore, who was also on the flight, shared on social media.
Emergency Averted, Plane Lands Safely
Despite the chaos mid-air, the Southwest flight continued on to Las Vegas and landed safely. The airline confirmed that while no passengers were seriously hurt, two flight attendants required medical attention after being thrown about during the sudden drop.
Southwest Airlines released a statement commending the flight crew and confirming that it is cooperating with the FAA investigation into the incident.
“Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees,” the airline stated.
The Other Aircraft: Hawker Hunter Jet Involved
According to preliminary FAA data and multiple sources, the second aircraft involved was a Hawker Hunter Mk. 58, a British-designed military jet registered to Hunter Aviation International, a UK-based defense contractor. Reports indicate that multiple Hawker Hunters were operating in the area as part of a routine flight exercise.
Though no impact occurred, the proximity of the two aircraft triggered automatic avoidance protocols. The British jet was flying at 14,653 feet, and had the Southwest plane in sight, but sources suggest there was no clear air traffic control instruction to either aircraft at the time.
FAA Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that it is actively investigating the incident and is in contact with Southwest Airlines. The agency reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of the national airspace system.
This is the second near-miss involving a commercial jet in U.S. airspace in the same week, following an incident where a Delta flight narrowly avoided a B-52 Bomber over North Dakota.
Timeline of the Southwest Flight 1496 Incident
Flight: Southwest 1496
Date: Friday, July 25, 2025
Route: Burbank, California ➝ Las Vegas, Nevada
Event: Sudden 475-ft drop due to TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) alert
Altitude Drop: From 14,100 ft ➝ 13,625 ft
Injuries: 2 flight attendants (no passenger injuries reported)
Other Aircraft: Hawker Hunter Jet (UK-registered)
FAA Status: Investigation ongoing
Landing: Safe, uneventful landing in Las Vegas
Rising Concerns Over U.S. Air Traffic Safety
This incident adds to a growing list of airspace safety concerns, particularly involving military or private defense aircraft near commercial flight paths. In January, a collision involving an American Airlines flight and a military helicopter tragically claimed 67 lives near Washington, D.C.
Stay tuned to https://pakbrief.live/ for breaking aviation stories, safety reports, and verified updates from around the world. Reports say plane flying from Burbank to Las Vegas took dramatic plunge after takeoff to avoid Hawker Hunter jet.