“It felt like the plane just dropped out of the sky.” That’s how one shaken passenger described the chaos aboard a Southwest Airlines flight bound for Las Vegas that was forced into a sudden and steep dive midair—just moments after takeoff—to avoid what could have been a catastrophic collision.
Sudden Dive Sends Shockwaves Through Cabin
Flight 3236, which departed from Hollywood Burbank Airport on Friday afternoon, was barely in the sky before things took a terrifying turn. Just minutes into the climb, the pilot reportedly received a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) alert—signaling an imminent threat from another aircraft.
Without hesitation, the pilot pulled the aircraft into an aggressive maneuver, diving sharply to avoid a potential midair collision. Passengers were jolted from their seats. Some hit the overhead bins. Two flight attendants sustained injuries while trying to maintain order and safety in the midst of the terrifying event.
“It was the scariest moment of my life,” one passenger told The Pop Radar. “I wasn’t even buckled in, and I flew up and hit my head on the ceiling. Everyone was screaming.”
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Comedian Jimmy Dore Was on Board
Among those on the flight was comedian and commentator Jimmy Dore, who recounted the incident in a video update on social media. According to Dore, after the sharp dive, the captain came over the intercom to explain what had happened. The pilot confirmed the collision warning system went off due to a nearby aircraft, and immediate evasive action was necessary.
“The pilot sounded calm, but you could tell it was serious,” said Dore. “He said another plane was coming at us and he had to dive to avoid it. I’ve never been so scared on a flight.”
Southwest Airlines Responds
Southwest Airlines released a statement to TMZ, confirming the in-air scare and acknowledging the pilot’s evasive maneuver:
“The crew responded to two onboard traffic alerts Friday afternoon while climbing out of Burbank,” the airline said. “This required them to climb and descend to comply with the alerts.”
While passengers were understandably shaken, the airline initially said no injuries had been reported. However, two flight attendants are now being treated for injuries sustained during the event, highlighting just how jarring the maneuver was.
The airline also stated that they are working in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to investigate the incident and determine how such a close encounter happened.
A Wake-Up Call for Air Safety?
This harrowing incident comes amid a string of concerning aviation events worldwide, from runway collisions to in-flight emergencies. While commercial aviation remains statistically safe, Friday’s close call serves as a sobering reminder that errors or system failures—even rare ones—can have dire consequences.
According to aviation experts, the TCAS system is a last line of defense. It’s not supposed to be the first warning a pilot gets about another aircraft. Instead, air traffic control should ensure enough separation between planes so that the TCAS never needs to sound the alarm.
So what went wrong?
Possible Human or System Error
While the official cause of the near-miss remains under investigation, industry insiders point to a few potential issues:
- Air traffic controller miscommunication or oversight
- Incorrect flight altitude assignments
- Faulty transponder data from one of the planes
- Mechanical failure or radar blind spots
“This is the kind of event the FAA takes very seriously,” said retired commercial pilot Kevin Marston. “You don’t want commercial jets getting that close in crowded airspace.”
Passengers Left Rattled—But Thankful
Despite the injuries and intense panic, the flight was eventually rerouted and landed safely in Las Vegas, its original destination.
Many passengers took to social media after landing to express relief—and gratitude—for the pilot’s quick thinking.
“I’m hugging my family a little tighter tonight,” wrote one traveler. “It’s easy to forget how much trust we put in these pilots. Today, ours was a hero.”
Flight Attendants: The Unsung Heroes
While much of the praise is (rightfully) going to the pilot, let’s not forget the cabin crew, who maintained control, tried to calm frightened passengers, and even got injured in the process.
Southwest confirmed both injured attendants are receiving care and being monitored. It’s unclear whether they’ll return to duty soon, but their actions have not gone unnoticed.
“Flight attendants do more than serve drinks,” one passenger wrote. “They literally held it down while the plane was diving.”
A Close Call, But a Safe Landing
In a time when aviation headlines often involve tragedy, this story—thankfully—didn’t end that way. The flight crew, especially the pilot, is being lauded for swift action that likely saved dozens of lives.
Still, the question remains: How did this even happen?
FAA Investigation Underway
The FAA has launched an official investigation into the near-collision. Officials will review radar data, cockpit voice recordings, and air traffic control logs to determine what led to the alert and what corrective measures must be taken to prevent a repeat.
For now, the agency has not released further comment beyond acknowledging the incident.
Final Thoughts
In an age of instant headlines and short attention spans, Friday’s midair scare is a visceral reminder that behind every flight is a team of humans keeping us safe—and that sometimes, it’s those last-second decisions that make all the difference.
Passengers will recover. The flight attendants will heal. And perhaps the airline industry will learn a thing or two from this very close call.
What are your thoughts on this terrifying midair moment?
Have you ever experienced something similar while flying?
👉 Drop your stories in the comments below and stay tuned to The Pop Radar for more exclusive updates on travel safety, celebrity sightings, and everything buzzing in pop culture!
