DALLAS — Federal officials are investigating a Southwest Airlines jet that triggered a low-altitude alert as it prepared to land in Oklahoma City but was still nine miles from the airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday that an air traffic controller notified the Southwest pilots after an automated warning sounded around 12:05 a.m. Wednesday morning.
According to data from Flightradar24, the plane descended to about 525 feet above the ground as it passed over Oklahoma City suburbs on the way to Will Rogers World Airport.
“Southwest 4069, low altitude alert. You doing OK?” an air traffic controller asked the Southwest pilots.
“Yeah, we’re going around, 4069,” one of the pilots responded, as captured by LiveATC.net. The air traffic controller told him to maintain 3000 feet.
The Dallas-based airline said the plane, a Boeing 737, landed safely just after midnight.
“Southwest is following its robust safety management system and is in contact with the Federal Aviation Administration to understand and address any irregularities with the aircraft’s approach to the airport,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees.”
Federal officials are currently investigating a low Southwest Airlines flight over the Oklahoma City suburbs that has raised concerns among residents and aviation experts alike. The flight, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon, reportedly flew at an unusually low altitude over residential areas, causing alarm among those on the ground.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that they are looking into the incident and working with Southwest Airlines to gather more information. According to FAA regulations, commercial flights are required to maintain a minimum altitude of 1,000 feet above populated areas, unless they are taking off or landing at an airport.
The low-flying aircraft was reportedly a Boeing 737-700, which is a common model used by Southwest Airlines for domestic flights. The flight was en route from Dallas Love Field to Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City when it flew over the suburbs at a height that appeared to be much lower than the required minimum altitude.
Residents in the affected areas reported hearing loud noise and feeling vibrations from the passing aircraft, leading to concerns about safety and potential violations of aviation regulations. Some residents took to social media to express their worries and seek answers about why the flight was flying so low over their neighborhoods.
Aviation experts have also weighed in on the incident, noting that low-altitude flights can pose risks to both those on the ground and those on board the aircraft. Flying at a lower altitude increases the likelihood of encountering obstacles such as buildings, trees, and power lines, which could potentially lead to a dangerous situation if not properly managed by the pilots.
Southwest Airlines has issued a statement acknowledging the incident and stating that they are cooperating with federal officials in the investigation. The airline has emphasized their commitment to safety and compliance with all FAA regulations, and they have assured the public that they are taking the matter seriously.
As the investigation continues, federal officials will be looking into various factors that may have contributed to the low-altitude flight, including weather conditions, air traffic control communications, and pilot decision-making. The findings of the investigation will help determine whether any violations occurred and what steps may need to be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In the meantime, residents in the Oklahoma City suburbs are encouraged to report any further sightings of low-flying aircraft to local authorities or the FAA. By working together with federal officials and airlines, we can ensure that the skies above our communities remain safe and compliant with aviation regulations.
