New York, USA – A federal investigation is currently ongoing following a frightening incident involving a Southwest Airlines flight as it descended dangerously close to the ocean off the coast of a Hawaiian island. The alarming event took place on April 11 onboard Southwest Flight 2786 but was only made public recently after reports emerged that a newer first officer accidentally made a critical error with the control column.
Flight tracking data revealed that the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft plummeted at a rate exceeding 4,000 feet per minute, while merely 600 feet above sea level. Miraculously, the plane managed to regain altitude after dropping as low as 400 feet. Southwest Airlines emphasized their dedication to safety, ensuring that all incidents are addressed with the utmost seriousness through their Safety Management System.
Although Southwest acknowledged the incident, they refrained from commenting on certain details, prompting further questions regarding the circumstances surrounding the event. The Federal Aviation Administration promptly launched an investigation upon learning of the incident to ensure all necessary steps are taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association has remained silent on the matter, leaving room for speculation regarding their perspective on the situation. The flight in question was a short journey from Honolulu to Lihue airport in Kauai amidst challenging weather conditions, leading the pilots to abort their landing and return to the departure airport.
Drawing parallels to a previous incident involving a United Airlines flight in December 2022, where miscommunication among pilots almost led to disaster, raises concerns about the communication and coordination within airline crews. The National Transportation Safety Board is yet to confirm whether they will conduct an investigation into the recent Southwest incident, underscoring the urgency for thorough safety protocols in the aviation industry.