Southwest Airlines (File) A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft narrowly avoided disaster off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii, after weather
A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft narrowly avoided disaster off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii, after weather conditions forced a swift change in course, bringing the plane within a mere 400 feet of the Pacific Ocean.
The incident, which occurred on April 11th, involved Southwest Flight 2786 en route from Honolulu International Airport to Lihue Airport in Kauai.
According to an internal Southwest Airlines memo obtained by Bloomberg News, the aircraft rapidly descended from nearly 16,000 feet to an altitude of 400 feet within 18 seconds.
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The abrupt change in altitude occurred following the plane’s deviation from its planned approach path due to inclement weather. Air traffic control subsequently directed Flight 2786 to make a sharp turn toward the ocean, resulting in the plane’s dramatic descent.
Passengers aboard the aircraft reported experiencing extreme turbulence and a sudden drop in altitude, causing panic and distress. Some passengers described feeling the sensation of weightlessness as the plane plummeted toward the ocean.
Despite the harrowing incident, the flight crew regained control of the aircraft and safely landed in Lihue with no reported injuries. Southwest Airlines confirmed the occurrence of the incident and stated that a thorough review of the flight data and crew performance was conducted, resulting in appropriate corrective actions.
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also launched an investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause of the near-miss and assess the adequacy of safety protocols. This latest incident involving a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft has further heightened concerns about the safety and reliability of the model, which was grounded worldwide following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.
Southwest Airlines has emphasized its commitment to the safety of its passengers and crew members and has expressed full cooperation with the ongoing investigation. The airline has also initiated a comprehensive review of its flight operations and training procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As investigations continue, aviation experts and industry stakeholders are closely monitoring the developments to ensure the safety and integrity of commercial air travel.
The findings of these investigations are expected to shed light on the contributing factors that led to this near-disaster and inform potential regulatory changes to enhance aviation safety standards.
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