WASHINGTON, D.C
Federal officials are investigating an incident involving a Southwest Airlines jet that flew as low as 150 feet over water while still about five miles from its intended landing spot at Tampa International Airport, Florida.
The pilots of the July 14 flight skipped over Tampa and instead landed at Fort Lauderdale, 200 miles away. This incident follows a similar one last month in Oklahoma City, where a Southwest jet flew miles from the airport at an unusually low altitude.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it is investigating the incident. According to Flightradar24, Southwest Flight 425, which departed from Columbus, Ohio, reached its low point over Old Tampa Bay near the Courtney Campbell Causeway. In contrast, three previous Southwest flights to Tampa passed the same point at about 1,225 feet in altitude.
“Southwest Flight 425 safely diverted to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on July 14 after the crew discontinued their planned approach into Tampa International Airport,” the airline said in a statement.
Dallas-based Southwest said it is in contact with the FAA “to understand and address irregularities. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees.”
The FAA is also investigating a June 18 flight in which a Southwest jet triggered a low-altitude alert at about 525 feet above ground and nine miles from the Oklahoma City airport. After receiving an automated warning in the control tower, an air traffic controller contacted the crew. The plane performed a “go-around” before making an uneventful landing.
In April, a Southwest flight went into a dive off the coast of Hawaii, coming within 400 feet of the ocean before the plane began to climb. The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating a Southwest jet that experienced an unusual “Dutch roll” and was discovered to have tail damage after a flight from Phoenix to Oakland, California. Investigators say the plane had been parked outside during a severe storm.
