A near-miss incident involving a Southwest airlines flight and a fighter jet has prompted an investigation. The Southwest plane experienced a rapid altitude change, dropping approximately 475 feet before ascending about 600 feet within a minute, according to Flightradar24 data. The fighter jet, in contrast, gained about 100 feet in mere seconds.
The airline reported that two flight attendants sustained injuries, though no passengers were harmed.
The passenger aircraft did not issue an emergency declaration and proceeded to its destination in Las vegas, arriving approximately nine minutes ahead of its scheduled time after a 39-minute journey.
CNN has contacted Hunter Aviation International, identified as the registered owner of the fighter jet, for comment.
Commercial aircraft are typically equipped wiht a Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). This system is designed to provide pilots with instructions to ascend or descend, thereby preventing proximity to other aircraft.
TCAS operates independently of ground-based air traffic control. It scans the surrounding airspace by utilizing radio frequencies emitted by the transponders of other aircraft.
CNN’s Sarah Dewberry contributed to this report.
