Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Experiences Alarmingly Low Altitude Near Oklahoma City Suburb

A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 flying from Las Vegas to Oklahoma City encountered a significant altitude scare, dropping to just 525 feet above ground while still nine miles away from its destination at Will Rogers World Airport. This incident occurred shortly after midnight on June 19, triggering an automated low-altitude warning as the aircraft flew over a suburban area of Oklahoma City.

Air traffic control immediately contacted the flight crew with a safety alert, leading to the pilots initiating a “go-around” procedure. This safety maneuver required the aircraft to regain altitude and eventually circle back for a safe landing on an alternate runway. The pilot was instructed to maintain 3,000 feet during this correction.

This recent event is part of a troubling pattern for Southwest Airlines, following similar low-altitude incidents involving their 737s. In one such case, a pilot narrowly avoided an ocean landing, and another incident saw a near-collision on a runway in Washington, D.C.

The airline has responded by stating its commitment to safety, noting that it is working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to investigate the irregularities in the aircraft’s approach. “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees,” a spokesperson for Southwest stated.

Residents in the affected suburb shared their concerns on social media, with one individual reporting that the low-flying plane was so close they feared it would impact their house.

The FAA has confirmed that it is investigating the factors that led to this dangerous approach, with updates expected as more information becomes available. This string of incidents underscores ongoing safety challenges that Southwest is striving to address within its fleet operations.