FAA Investigates Southwest After Safety Incidents

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched a safety review of Southwest Airlines after some concerning incidents. 

The investigation comes after a Southwest flight dropped to low altitudes over Tampa Bay, Florida – as low as about 150 feet – on July 14. The FAA is also reviewing a Southwest flight that dropped to 500 feet between Oklahoma City and Las Vegas, as well as several other incidents. 

“The FAA has increased oversight of Southwest Airlines to ensure it is complying with federal safety regulations,” the FAA said in a statement. “Safety will drive the timeline.” 

More recent incidents prompted the safety evaluation, according to a Reuters report. In April, a Southwest flight came within 400 feet of the ocean near Hawaii. Then in May, a flight from Phoenix to Oakland experienced a dangerous “Dutch roll.” On June 25, a flight departed from a closed runway in Portland, Maine. The FAA is reportedly investigating all incidents. 

Southwest has responded, saying that the airline is “working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration in the review of recent events.”  

The airline has formed a dedicated team to assist its established, FAA-approved Safety Management System, including subject-matter experts and leaders from Southwest, union partners, and the FAA. 

“This group is tasked with performing an in-depth, data-driven analysis to identify any opportunities for improvement,” a Southwest spokesperson said. “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees.”