A Southwest Airlines flight had to make a sharp evasive manoeuvre shortly after takeoff from Burbank, California, on Friday to avoid a possible mid-air collision with a military aircraft. Two flight attendants on board were injured during the sudden descent, though the flight continued to its destination in Las Vegas and landed without further incident.
According to the airline, the pilots of Flight 1496 responded to cockpit alerts that indicated dangerously close air traffic. Flight tracking data showed the Boeing 737 descended nearly 500 feet in a short span of time.
The aircraft it was avoiding was identified as a Hawker Hunter fighter jet, a British-built military aircraft, which crossed the path of the Southwest flight during takeoff.
The two planes came within 4.86 miles laterally and 350 feet vertically. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it is investigating the incident. The US Air Force and Department of Defense did not immediately comment on why the fighter jet was operating in the area.
🚨🚨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.
— aircraftmaintenancengineer (@airmainengineer) July 25, 2025
According to passengers, pilot said his collision warning went off & he needed to avoid plane… pic.twitter.com/H37KiQBAUC
Southwest Airlines said the two flight attendants received medical attention, but did not disclose further details. No injuries were immediately reported among passengers, though some described the experience as frightening.
NEW — A Southwest Airlines flight RAPIDLY descended 475 feet Friday to avoid a mid-air collision with another aircraft injuring two flight attendants after taking off from Hollywood Burbank Airport. “Another flight attendant announced he was quitting,” passengers said.
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) July 25, 2025
Passenger… pic.twitter.com/z2L9uTsdC8
This incident is the second in a week involving a commercial flight taking sudden action to avoid another aircraft. A week earlier, a SkyWest Airlines flight operating as Delta Connection had to take evasive action near Minot, North Dakota, to avoid a US Air Force B-52 bomber. That bomber had just completed a ceremonial flyover for the North Dakota State Fair.
Other similar events involving military aircraft have been reported in recent months. On March 28, a Delta jet narrowly missed a group of Air Force jets near Reagan Washington National Airport. A more serious incident occurred on January 29 when an Army helicopter collided with a regional jet near Reagan National, resulting in 67 deaths.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board continue to investigate these close calls, and there is increasing concern over military aircraft operations in civilian airspace.
