The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a Southwest Airlines plane descended to a dangerously low altitude as it made its approach to the Oklahoma City Airport just after midnight Thursday, according to the FAA.
An automated warning went off from the Minimum Safe Altitude Warning system at 12:05 a.m., prompting an air traffic controller to tell Southwest Airlines Flight 4069 that they had descended to a low altitude, nine miles from the runway at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, an FAA spokesperson said.
The plane passed over Yukon High School, dangerously low at roughly 625 feet, and at one point had descended to roughly 525 feet, according to FlightRadar24.
In this Feb. 8, 2024, file photo, a Southwest Airlines plane lands at San Francisco International Airport, in San Francisco, Calif.
Anadolu via Getty Images, FILE
In a statement Thursday night, Southwest said it is in contact with the FAA “to understand and address any irregularities with the aircraft’s approach to the airport.”
“Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees,” the company’s statement read.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating an incident involving a Southwest Airlines plane that descended dangerously low during its approach to an airport. The incident occurred on a recent flight, and has raised concerns about the safety of air travel.
According to reports, the Southwest Airlines plane was approaching the airport when it descended to an altitude that was significantly lower than what is considered safe for landing. The pilot of the plane reportedly realized the error and quickly corrected the descent, bringing the plane back to a safe altitude before landing.
The incident has prompted the FAA to launch an investigation into what went wrong and why the plane descended dangerously low. The agency will be looking into factors such as pilot error, equipment malfunction, and air traffic control communication to determine the cause of the incident.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety in air travel. Pilots are trained to follow strict guidelines and procedures to ensure the safety of passengers and crew members. Any deviation from these guidelines can have serious consequences, as seen in this case.
Southwest Airlines has stated that they are cooperating fully with the FAA investigation and are committed to ensuring the safety of their passengers. The airline has a strong safety record, but incidents like this serve as a reminder that safety is always a top priority in the aviation industry.
Passengers should feel reassured that incidents like this are rare and that the FAA takes safety very seriously. Air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation, with strict regulations and protocols in place to ensure the safety of all passengers.
As the investigation into this incident continues, it is important for all parties involved to learn from what happened and take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. Safety should always be the top priority in air travel, and incidents like this serve as a reminder of the importance of following proper procedures and guidelines.
