A Southwest Airlines commercial flight faced a harrowing incident while landing in the US city of Oklahoma when it dropped close to a residential neighbourhood and caused alarm among residents.
Flight 4069, which took off from Las Vegas, experienced a sudden dive that brought it within 500 feet of houses, prompting altitude alarms and catching the attention of air traffic controllers, the New York Post reported.
The Boeing 737-800, equipped with transponders, was closely monitored as it passed near Yukon High School en route to Will Rogers World Airport shortly after midnight. An air traffic controller urgently warned the crew of “low altitude,” seeking reassurance about their status.
The plane managed to regain altitude and successfully circled back to the airport for a safe landing, reports said. US officials later confirmed that the aircraft had missed its initial landing attempt. The incident rattled nearby residents, many of whom took to social media to express their shock and concern.
One person recounted how the noise and proximity of the aircraft startled them from sleep, mistaking the event for a surreal dream-turned-reality. Southwest Airlines promptly initiated a probe in collaboration with federal authorities, stressing their commitment to safety.
A spokesperson reaffirmed their adherence to rigorous safety protocols and their ongoing communication with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address any issues related to the approach and landing procedures.
READ MORE: Flight Plunged 4,000 Feet Per Minute, Came Within 400 Feet Of Ocean Near US’ Hawaii
This latest flight scar occurred amid heightened scrutiny of Southwest Airlines following another recent incident where a plane bound for Hawaii experienced a sudden, alarming descent over the Pacific Ocean. The federal agency probe into this earlier incident revealed that the aircraft dropped at an unusually high rate, prompting concerns about operational procedures.
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