The FAA is investigating Southwest Airlines for April fight issue

Southwest Airlines has remained in the headlines lately for several different reasons. The newest is around the announcement that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the airlines due to a flight that dropped toward the ocean near a Hawaii island.

On April 11, Southwest Flight 2766 suddenly dropped out of sky at a rate of more than 4,000 feet per minute. The flight crew was able to correct the situation before the plane crashed into the water which was only 400 feet away. The flight returned to Honolulu and no injuries occurred. This was yet another safety situation involving a Boeing 737 Max 8 airplane.

In a statement to Lauren Irwin of The Hill, the FAA confirmed the investigation. “The FAA is investigating this incident. It occurred on April 11.”

Southwest also responded with a statement.

“Through our robust Safety Management System, the event was addressed appropriately and we always strive for continuous improvement,” the company said in the statement.

Southwest has been mentioned in several headlines, including incoming changes to the airline if an organization gains a stronger ownership stake. There have been potential changes such as shifting away from the first come, first serve seating policy that has long been standard for the airline.

This is also a time in which the National Transportation Safety Board is pushing for more technology to help improve safety at airports. There have been several near collisions at various airports in the country, and there’s hope that implementing available advancements will help deter the issue before a tragedy happens.

According to the FAA, there were 23 runway incidents in 2023, compared to 16 in 2022. In 2024, seven incidents have already occurred, with more under investigation just halfway through the year.