REPORT: Southwest Jet Dives To Evade Midair Collision After Takeoff

A Southwest Airlines flight was reportedly forced to make an abrupt dive Friday in California to evade a potential midair collision shortly after takeoff.

Southwest Flight 1496 had just departed from Hollywood Burbank Airport in Burbank, California, on the way to Las Vegas, Nevada, when the incident occurred, according to flight records obtained by KTLA5. Data from FlightRadar24 revealed that the aircraft quickly dropped from an altitude of 14,100 feet to 13,625 feet, ABC News reported. (RELATED: Potentially Worst Air Disaster In History Narrowly Avoided At Austin Airport)

Southwest Airlines put out a statement that did not describe the specific nature of the incident, according to KTLA5. “The crew of Southwest Flight 1496 responded to two onboard traffic alerts Friday afternoon while climbing out of Burbank, Cal., requiring them to climb and ascend to comply with the alerts,” the airline said.

“Southwest is engaged with the Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] to further understand the circumstances. No injuries were immediately reported by Customers, but two Flight Attendants are being treated for injuries,” Southwest continued.

Comedian and political commentator Jimmy Dore said he was a passenger of the flight in a post on X. “Just now on SW Flight #1496 Burbank to Las Vegas. Pilot had to dive aggressively to avoid midair collision over Burbank airport. Myself & plenty of people flew out of their seats & bumped heads on ceiling, a flight attendant needed medical attention. Pilot said his collision warning went off & he needed to avoid plane coming at us. Wow,” Dore alleged.

Just now on SW Flight #1496 Burbank to Las Vegas.

Pilot had to dive aggressively to avoid midair collision over Burbank airport.

Myself & Plenty of people flew out of their seats & bumped heads on ceiling, a flight attendant needed medical attention.

Pilot said his collision…

— Jimmy Dore (@jimmy_dore) July 25, 2025

The FAA has initiated an investigation into the matter, according to ABC7 Eyewitness News.