• Southwest Flight 1496 performed a drastic 475-foot drop to evade another aircraft.
• Two flight attendants were injured during the emergency maneuver.
• The incident is under investigation by the FAA, marking a rising concern over air traffic safety.
• Passengers described the event as 'terrifying' with some fearing a crash.
• This incident follows multiple near misses involving military aircraft in recent weeks.

A Southwest Airlines flight, designated as Flight 1496, rapidly descended nearly 475 feet shortly after takeoff from Hollywood Burbank Airport to avoid colliding with a Hawker Hunter fighter jet. This evasive action was taken about six minutes into the flight, resulting in injuries to two flight attendants, according to statements from the airline and eyewitness accounts. The quick descent raised alarms among passengers onboard, leading to a chaotic atmosphere as reports described people being flung out of their seats due to the abrupt angle of the dive, according to ABC News and Newsweek.

Passengers, including comedian Jimmy Dore, recounted the terrifying moment when the flight crew was alerted to the proximity of another aircraft, prompting the drastic maneuver. Dore noted that the pilot indicated a collision warning had been received, necessitating a quick alteration in altitude. Despite this dangerous situation, Southwest Airlines stated that the flight continued to Las Vegas and landed "uneventfully," reiterating its commitment to passenger safety and cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) who is investigating the incident, as reported by BBC and Reuters.

The air traffic event has drawn attention due to its occurrence amidst increased scrutiny following a series of similar incidents involving military aircraft. The FAA is probing this latest near miss, with parameters showing the two aircraft were within a lateral distance of 4.86 miles and 350 feet altitude difference at their closest point. This incident marks a continuation of safety concerns within U.S. airspace, particularly regarding military and commercial flight interactions, as indicated in reports from Reuters and Dawn.

No immediate injuries were reported among passengers, but one flight attendant was treated on site, while another required transportation to a hospital for further evaluation. This incident is part of a troubling trend, as just days earlier, another flight had evaded a possible collision with a U.S. Air Force bomber, heightening the urgency for investigation and improved air traffic control measures as outlined by NPR and Channel News Asia.