A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft had a close call when it came within 400 feet of crashing into the Pacific Ocean near Kauai. The incident occurred during a flight from Honolulu to Lihue Airport on April 11, causing passengers to experience a sudden drop in altitude. The pilots were forced to change course due to bad weather conditions, which led to an aborted landing attempt.
The Southwest Airlines memo obtained by Bloomberg News revealed that the captain decided to let the less-experienced first officer take command of the flight despite the challenging weather conditions. Unfortunately, the first officer made a mistake by pushing the control column forward and cutting the speed, causing the plane to descend rapidly. This prompted the warning system to alert the crew about the dangerously low altitude.
In response, the captain instructed the first officer to increase thrust, allowing the aircraft to climb aggressively at a rate of 8,500 feet per minute. Although the flight should have been a short 22-minute trip, the plane had to return to Honolulu after the incident, landing safely without any injuries to passengers or crew.
Southwest Airlines emphasized its commitment to safety in a statement, reassuring the public that the event was handled appropriately. The Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating the incident to determine the cause and prevent similar situations in the future.
This incident is reminiscent of a previous event involving a United Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner off the coast of Maui in 2022. The United flight experienced a sudden drop in altitude shortly after takeoff, prompting an investigation and additional training for the pilots involved.
Safety remains a top priority for airlines like Southwest and United, who work closely with regulatory agencies to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew members. As air travel continues to evolve, continuous improvement in safety measures is essential to prevent accidents and protect travelers.