String of Southwest Airlines Incidents Raises Safety Concerns, Prompts FAA Investigations

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating a recent Southwest Airlines flight (LUV.N) that sparked safety concerns after flying at an alarmingly low altitude over Tampa Bay, Florida. This incident marks the latest in a series of concerning events involving Southwest Airlines that have prompted the FAA to launch multiple investigations.

Tampa Bay Low-Altitude Incident

On July 14th, a Southwest Boeing 737 MAX traveling from Columbus, Ohio (flight number 425) dipped to a dangerously low altitude of approximately 175 feet (53 meters) while still 3 miles (5 kilometers) from Tampa International Airport, according to Flightradar24 data. This incident triggered an alert from an air traffic controller, prompting the diversion of the flight to Fort Lauderdale.

Southwest Airlines acknowledged the incident and confirmed their ongoing communication with the FAA “to understand and address any irregularities.” The airline emphasized its commitment to prioritizing the safety of its passengers and employees.

Pattern of Recent Concerns

This incident is far from an isolated event.  Several other Southwest Airlines flights have raised safety concerns in recent months, leading to multiple ongoing FAA investigations:

Near Miss Off Hawaii (April): A Southwest 737 flight nearly collided with the ocean near Hawaii in April after the first officer inadvertently pushed the control column forward, causing the plane to plummet at a rapid rate of 4,400 feet per minute and coming within a mere 400 feet (122 meters) of the water’s surface.

Very Low Approach in Oklahoma City (June 19th): Another Southwest flight (Flight 4069) departing Las Vegas on June 19th dipped to a critically low altitude of around 500 feet while approximately 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) from Oklahoma City Airport. An air traffic controller intervened after an alert sounded, prompting the flight crew to correct their course.

Dutch Roll Incident (May 25th): The FAA is also investigating a Southwest 737 MAX flight from Phoenix, Arizona, to Oakland, California, on May 25th. This flight experienced a “Dutch roll” at a high altitude of 34,000 feet. Dutch rolls, named after a Dutch ice skating move, involve concerning lateral movements that can pose significant safety risks.

Takeoff from Closed Runway (June 25th): Adding to the list of concerning incidents, the FAA is investigating a Southwest flight that departed from a closed runway in Portland, Maine on June 25th.

Focus on Safety and Transparency

These repeated incidents have understandably raised concerns about Southwest Airlines’ safety protocols.  The FAA’s ongoing investigations aim to determine the root causes of these events and ensure the implementation of necessary corrective measures.  Transparency from Southwest Airlines regarding these investigations and their efforts to address safety concerns will be crucial in regaining public trust.