FAA Investigating Tampa-Bound Southwest Flight that Plunged to 150 Feet Above Water
WASHINGTON (NEWSnet/AP) — Federal officials are investigating an incident involving a Southwest Airlines jet that flew as low as 150 feet above water while it was approximately five miles from its intended landing at the airport Tampa, Florida.
The pilots skipped over the Tampa airport and landed instead at Fort Lauderdale, 200 miles away.
The July 14 flight followed a similar incident last month in Oklahoma City in which a Southwest jet flew at an unusually low altitude while still miles from the airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday that it is investigating the incident.
Southwest flight 425, which took off from Columbus, Ohio, reached its low point as it flew over Old Tampa Bay near the Courtney Campbell Causeway, according to Flightradar24.
“Southwest Flight 425 safely diverted to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on July 14 after the crew discontinued their planned approach into Tampa International Airport,” the airline said in a statement.
Dallas-based Southwest said it is in contact with the FAA “to understand and address any irregularities. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees.”
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