FAA Investigates Recent Southwest Incident Over Tampa Bay Amid Rising Safety Concerns

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating a concerning incident involving a Southwest Airlines flight that occurred on July 14, where a Boeing 737 MAX operated at dangerously low altitudes over Tampa Bay, Florida. This probe is part of a broader examination into several recent safety incidents linked to Southwest Airlines.

Flight data from Flightradar24 reveals that the Southwest flight, numbered 425 and originating from Columbus, Ohio, descended to approximately 175 feet (53 meters) while only three miles (5 km) from Tampa airport. An air traffic controller promptly intervened, alerting the flight crew to the low altitude, which resulted in the plane being redirected to Fort Lauderdale.

Southwest Airlines responded to the incident, affirming its commitment to safety. “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees,” the airline stated, confirming ongoing discussions with the FAA to address and rectify any flight irregularities.

This recent Tampa Bay incident is the latest in a series of troubling events involving Southwest flights. In April, another Southwest 737 came perilously close to the ocean—approximately 400 feet (122 meters) above the surface—off Hawaii. This occurred after the first officer inadvertently leaned on the control column, causing the plane to descend rapidly at about 4,400 feet per minute.

Additionally, the FAA is looking into a June incident near Oklahoma City where Southwest Airlines Flight 4069, coming from Las Vegas, dropped to about 500 feet (152 meters) above the ground before being corrected by air traffic control.

Moreover, the FAA and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board are investigating a May 25 incident involving a Southwest 737 MAX that experienced a “Dutch roll”—a type of lateral, asymmetric movement—while flying from Phoenix, Arizona, to Oakland, California. This maneuver, likened to a Dutch ice skating technique, poses significant safety risks.

Another concerning event occurred on June 25, when a Southwest flight mistakenly departed from a closed runway in Portland, Maine, which is also under FAA investigation.

These series of incidents have raised serious questions about operational safety standards at Southwest Airlines, prompting both the FAA and aviation safety experts to scrutinize the airline’s safety protocols and training procedures more closely. As these investigations continue, the aviation community and the flying public are keenly awaiting results that could lead to enhanced safety measures for Southwest Airlines.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, finance.yahoo.com