Federal officials are currently investigating an alarming incident involving a Southwest Airlines jet that flew as low as 150 feet (45 meters) over water while still approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers) away from its intended landing spot at the airport in Tampa, Florida. The pilots of Southwest flight 425, which departed from Columbus, Ohio, ultimately bypassed the Tampa airport and landed instead at Fort Lauderdale, a significant 200 miles (320 kilometers) away.
This unsettling event on July 14 comes on the heels of a similar occurrence last month in Oklahoma City, where another Southwest jet flew at an unusually low altitude while still several miles from the airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that they are actively investigating this latest incident.
According to Flightradar24 data, Southwest Flight 425 reached its lowest point over Old Tampa Bay near the Courtney Campbell Causeway, significantly lower than the altitude of three previous Southwest flights to Tampa passing the same point at about 1,225 feet (375 meters). In response to inquiries, Southwest Airlines stated that the crew of Flight 425 safely diverted to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport after discontinuing their planned approach into Tampa International Airport.
Southwest Airlines, headquartered in Dallas, has assured that they are collaborating with the FAA to thoroughly understand and address any irregularities. The airline emphasized that safety remains their top priority for both customers and employees.
Notably, the FAA is also investigating a separate incident on June 18 involving a Southwest jet triggering a low-altitude alert at approximately 525 feet (160 meters) above ground and 9 miles (14 kilometers) from the Oklahoma City airport. In that case, an air traffic controller intervened after receiving an automated warning, prompting the plane to circle the airport before landing without further issues.
These recent events add to a series of concerning incidents involving Southwest Airlines, including a flight in April that experienced a sudden dive off the coast of Hawaii, coming within 400 feet (120 meters) of the ocean before recovering. Additionally, the National Transportation Safety Board is looking into a Southwest jet that exhibited an unusual “Dutch roll” after a flight from Phoenix to Oakland, California, revealing tail damage likely caused by exposure to severe weather during parking.
