The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently probing another incident involving Southwest Airlines that has raised significant safety concerns. A Southwest Boeing 737 MAX flight departing from Columbus, Ohio, on July 14th, unexpectedly descended to a dangerously low altitude of approximately 175 feet while just three miles from Tampa International Airport. Air traffic control promptly alerted the flight crew of their perilous situation, resulting in a diversion to Fort Lauderdale.
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This alarming incident marks the latest in a series of troubling events involving Southwest Airlines. In April, a Southwest 737 flight came perilously close to the ocean off Hawaii after the first officer inadvertently initiated a steep descent. Additionally, another Southwest flight dropped to a dangerously low altitude of around 500 feet while nine miles from the Oklahoma City airport in June.
The FAA is also investigating other incidents involving the airline, including a "Dutch roll" experienced by a Southwest 737 MAX at 34,000 feet in May and a June incident where a Southwest flight departed from a closed runway in Portland, Maine. These recurring safety issues have prompted intense scrutiny of Southwest Airlines' operational procedures and pilot training.
The airline has acknowledged the incidents and assured the public of its commitment to safety. Southwest Airlines is cooperating fully with the FAA's investigations and has pledged to implement necessary measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. As the investigations unfold, the aviation industry and the public await the findings with keen interest, hoping for a comprehensive understanding of the underlying causes of these alarming incidents and the steps being taken to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.