Southwest flight plummets nearly 500 feet ‘in a free fall’ to avoid ‘midair collision,’ leaving 2 flight attendants injured

| Published July 26, 2025

“Like a Roller Coaster Drop”: Southwest Jet Plunges 500 Feet to Avoid Cold War-Era Fighter, Injuring Flight Attendants

In a terrifying turn of events high above Los Angeles, passengers aboard a Southwest Airlines flight on July 25 found themselves gripping their seats as the aircraft suddenly dropped nearly 500 feet in a matter of seconds — all to avoid a midair collision with an unexpected intruder: a Cold War-era military jet.

Routine Flight Turns Into Heart-Stopping Plunge

Southwest Flight 746 had just taken off from Hollywood Burbank Airport and was climbing through 13,000 feet when chaos erupted. According to multiple reports, an air traffic controller urgently instructed the Boeing 737 to execute a hard dive after a radar alert revealed a fast-approaching aircraft with no transponder signal.

The pilot, responding within seconds, forced the plane into a steep descent — nearly 500 feet in vertical drop — to avoid disaster.

One passenger described the sudden drop as feeling “like a roller coaster with no warning.” Screams reportedly rang out through the cabin as passengers braced themselves.

Injuries and Impact

The violent maneuver injured at least two flight attendants, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Both crew members were thrown off balance during in-cabin service and suffered injuries severe enough to require medical evaluation upon landing. Fortunately, no passengers were seriously hurt.

Southwest confirmed the incident in a statement, saying, “We commend our pilots for their swift and professional response. The safety of our customers and crew remains our highest priority.”

The Mystery Jet: A Blast from the Past

The near-collision wasn’t with another commercial airliner, but a Cold War-era military aircraft, raising more questions than answers. Aviation analysts believe it was likely a privately owned Soviet-era fighter jet—possibly a MiG—operating in the area without proper coordination or identification.

According to Reuters and San News, the aircraft had no visible transponder code and wasn’t in contact with air traffic control — a major violation of U.S. aviation protocols, especially in the tightly controlled airspace over Los Angeles.

FAA Investigation Underway

The FAA, along with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), has launched a formal investigation into the incident. Key points of interest include how the vintage jet entered restricted airspace, why its pilot failed to file a flight plan or use a transponder, and how such a close call was allowed to happen in one of the busiest air corridors in the United States.

“The fact that this happened in peacetime airspace — and over a major metropolitan area — is incredibly alarming,” said aviation expert Ross Aimer, a retired United Airlines captain. “It’s one thing to encounter turbulence. It’s another to nearly collide with a ghost jet.”

Growing Concerns Over Private Military Aircraft

The rise in privately owned military aircraft — including old Soviet jets sold to collectors or airshow performers — has reignited debates about regulation and tracking.

“This is a wake-up call,” said former FAA investigator Mary Schiavo. “Allowing these aircraft to fly without modern tracking equipment or transponder compliance poses real risks to commercial aviation.”

Passengers Left Shaken but Grateful

Despite the scare, Flight 746 landed safely at its intended destination, Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport. Several passengers expressed shock at how close they came to disaster — but many also praised the pilots for their quick response.

“I’ll never forget the drop,” said one traveler. “But I’m grateful to be on the ground. They saved our lives.”

The sudden evasive maneuver left two flight attendants injured.

The Hawker Hunter was flying and reported seeing the Southwest plane, but not being instructed by ATC.Flight Aware

The pilots of the Hawker Hunter reported having the Boeing 737 in sight, but were not properly instructed by air traffic control, ABC News reported, citing source

 Implications:

Here are the key implications of the Southwest Airlines near-collision incident, covering aviation safety, regulatory gaps, and broader public concerns:

🔍 1. Serious Lapses in Airspace Security

• A Cold War-era jet flying without a transponder in tightly controlled U.S. airspace highlights potential vulnerabilities in air traffic surveillance, especially near major metro areas like Los Angeles.

• Raises concerns about radar blind spots or delays in detection, even in FAA-monitored skies.

🛩 2. Regulatory Oversight of Vintage Military Aircraft

• Privately owned ex-military aircraft, especially those from the Soviet era, are not subject to the same real-time monitoring as commercial jets.

• Lack of modern transponder systems or mandatory flight plan requirements for some of these aircraft creates dead zones in accountability.

• May prompt new FAA regulations or legislation tightening control over non-commercial flights in busy airspace.

⚖️ 3. Legal and Civil Liability Questions

• If the rogue aircraft’s owner or operator is identified, they could face criminal charges or civil lawsuits for endangering a commercial flight.

• Potential legal precedent: Can civilian owners of military hardware be held fully responsible for airspace breaches?

✈️ 4. Aviation Industry Fallout

• Airlines may push for more advanced collision-avoidance technologies, especially for low-altitude climbs and descents.

• Public may demand more transparency and reform regarding how non-commercial aircraft are tracked.

• Could lead to changes in pilot training, emphasizing emergency evasive maneuvers during climb-out — a phase traditionally seen as lower risk.

🧭 5. Public Trust and Fear

• Even without fatalities, such near-miss incidents erode passenger confidence in flight safety.

• This could result in reputational damage for airports, air traffic control sectors, and even the FAA if oversight is found lacking.

🛑 6. National Security Concerns

• A stealthy aircraft, even if not hostile, being able to get that close to a civilian airliner may raise alarms for national defense and homeland security agencies.

• Questions may be asked at the Pentagon level: What if it hadn’t been a MiG from a collector — but something else?

✈️ Overall Takeaway:

The near-disaster involving Southwest Flight 746 serves as a stark reminder that even in one of the world’s most advanced aviation systems, the unexpected can still threaten lives. A single unauthorized aircraft — especially one lacking modern transponder technology — was able to trigger a high-risk emergency maneuver in busy U.S. airspace, injuring crew and rattling passengers.

As investigators work to determine who was flying the vintage jet and how such a breach occurred, this incident exposes critical gaps in aviation regulation, particularly around privately owned military aircraft. It also underscores the need for stronger airspace enforcement, stricter compliance requirements, and enhanced detection systems to ensure such close calls don’t escalate into full-blown tragedies.

Ultimately, while the skill of the Southwest flight crew prevented loss of life, the question now turns to lawmakers and regulators: How many more warnings will it take before outdated aircraft and outdated rules no longer share the same skies as commercial passengers?

SOURCES: REDSTATE – Southwest Flight Plummets Almost 500 Feet to Avoid Collision in Scary Scene Over LA, Injuries Reported

THE NEW YORK POST – Southwest flight plummets nearly 500 feet ‘in a free fall’ to avoid ‘midair collision,’ leaving 2 flight attendants injured

STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS – Southwest flight goes into free fall to avoid Cold War-era fighter jet

REUTERS – Two Southwest flight attendants hurt after jet dives to avoid mid-air collision