{"id":66695,"date":"2024-07-20T23:58:11","date_gmt":"2024-07-20T18:28:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=66695"},"modified":"2024-07-20T23:58:15","modified_gmt":"2024-07-20T18:28:15","slug":"southwest-boeing-737-plunges-to-150-feet-above-tampa-bay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2024\/07\/20\/southwest-boeing-737-plunges-to-150-feet-above-tampa-bay\/","title":{"rendered":"Southwest Boeing 737 MAX Plunges to 150 Feet Above Sea in Tampa Bay"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DALLAS-<\/strong> Southwest Airlines (WN) <\/a>flight WN425 <\/strong>narrowly avoided disaster on July 14, 2024, as its Boeing 737 MAX 8 descended to 150 feet, barely higher than its wingspan, while still four miles from Tampa’s runway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This dangerously low altitude over Tampa Bay occurred around 2 hours and 50 minutes after takeoff. ADS-B data confirmed the plane’s position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Southwest
Photo: By Johnnyw3 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=76774657<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Southwest 737 Plunges 150 Feet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The plane flew dangerously low over the Courtney Campbell Causeway, an elevated road above Tampa Bay. This proximity to both water and structures heightened the risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alarmingly, the pilots seemed unaware of their perilous position. An air traffic controller issued a low altitude alert, prompting this exchange:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ATC: “Southwest 425, low altitude alert, check your altitude. Tampa’s altimeter is 30.14.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pilot: “30.14, thank you, Southwest 425.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pilots’ calm response suggests they may not have fully grasped the situation’s gravity. After slowly gaining altitude, the conversation continued:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ATC: “Southwest 425, you plan to go around?” Pilot: “Yeah, we are, we have to go, Southwest 425.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ATC: “Southwest 425, Roger, cancel approach clearance, go around runway 10. For now, you can fly runway heading and climb and maintain 1,600.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The flight diverted to Fort Lauderdale, landing safely at 7:45 PM after 3 hours and 30 minutes in the air. This incident raises serious questions about Southwest’s safety procedures and pilot awareness in challenging weather conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Southwest
Photo: Southwest Airlines <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous 737 Flew Over 1,300 Feet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Visual and audio records of the incident provide crucial context. The previous Southwest Boeing 737 <\/a>approaching Tampa maintained an altitude of 1,300 feet at four miles out, highlighting how dangerously low WN425 flew at 150 feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The crew of the preceding flight reported to air traffic control:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Actually three miles in was moderate rain and just a light chop. The bad stuff is probably 5, 6, 7 miles out with that gust.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This report indicates challenging but not extreme weather conditions near the airport, raising questions about WN425’s dramatic descent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo: By Tom\u00e1s Del Coro – https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tomasdelcoro\/49898991303\/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=103538454<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Series of Incidents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The air traffic controller’s timely intervention likely prevented a disaster. Their alert prompted the pilots to increase altitude and abort the landing attempt. This highlights the crucial role of air traffic controllers in maintaining flight safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Investigators will examine several factors, including the possibility of an incorrectly set altimeter. However, this alone wouldn’t account for such a significant altitude discrepancy, suggesting other issues were at play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This incident adds to a series of recent safety concerns involving Southwest Airlines, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. A risky go-around in Hawaii<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. A dangerously low approach in Oklahoma City<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. An inflight Dutch roll<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Taking off from a closed runway<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The frequency of these events raises questions about Southwest’s safety culture and pilot training. While Southwest operates numerous daily flights, the concentration of pilot error incidents is concerning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Industry-wide pilot shortages and less experienced crews are factors, but Southwest’s disproportionate involvement in these incidents suggests deeper issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This pattern may warrant increased Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversight of Southwest, similar to their enhanced scrutiny of United Airlines (UA)<\/a>. The recurring nature of these incidents calls for a thorough review of Southwest’s pilot training, safety protocols, and operational procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Who is at fault here? Do let us know in the comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Join us on\u00a0Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Southwest Boeing 737 Drops to 500 ft Over Oklahoma, FAA Investigates<\/a><\/blockquote>