On June 19, a Southwest Airlines flight got dangerously low to the ground about nine miles outside of Oklahoma City, prompting a warning from the air control tower. While no one was injured, both the airline and the FAA were notified of the incident and are investigating its cause. The incident highlights the importance of proper airline safety, and just how things can go wrong without warning if people are not careful.

Southwest Flight Provokes Low Altitude Warning

Just after midnight local time, a Southwest Airlines flight got low enough to the ground that it provoked a low altitude warning from the nearby air control tower. According to reports, it got as low as 525 feet above ground before the alert went off. Reportedly, the air traffic controller made contact with the pilot, and the altitude was corrected shortly thereafter to 3,000 feet, avoiding any injury or damage to the plane.

Information About the Flight

The plane was a Boeing 737-800, registered to Southwest Airlines with tail number N8555Z, originally constructed in 2017. It was traveling from Las Vegas to Oklahoma City, departing around 8:14 PM local time and was originally scheduled to arrive around 12:05 AM. Aside from the low altitude warning, no other issues occurred during the flight.

Potential Causes of the Incident

There are a number of reasons that this incident might have occurred, although no specific cause has yet been identified. It is possible, for example, that there was an equipment failure that resulted in the pilot believing he was at a higher altitude than he actually was, or a mechanical failure that resulted in temporary loss of control over the plane. There might also have been some form of error on the pilot’s part that resulted in him falling to a lower altitude than he intended.

Avoiding Airplane Accidents

To avoid similar incidents like these, it is critical to ensure that the plane has been properly maintained, and that any mechanical issues are addressed promptly. The pilot should also be well-trained and have a reasonable amount of experience, giving them the best chance to respond to emergency situations. While this might not prevent all accidents, it can minimize the risk of them happening and lower the chances of someone being hurt in the process.

If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should contact the Tennessee personal injury lawyers at the Keith Williams Law Group. With convenient offices located in Nashville and Lebanon, our lawyers will work with you to create a litigation strategy that protects your legal rights and serves your personal needs. For more information or a free consultation, please contact us at 615-444-2900 or visit our contact page.