A Southwest Airlines flight from Burbank, California, to Las Vegas experienced a terrifying mid-air plunge on Friday, narrowly avoiding a collision with another aircraft. The sudden maneuver left two flight attendants injured and sent several passengers flying out of their seats.

According to flight tracking data, Flight 1496 dropped several hundred feet just minutes after takeoff. Passengers described the incident as a dramatic and abrupt dive. Among those on board was American comedian Jimmy Dore, who took to social media to say he and many others “flew out of their seats & bumped heads on ceiling.”

Southwest Airlines confirmed that the crew responded to onboard traffic alerts by executing a rapid climb and descent to comply with safety protocols. The flight later landed safely in Las Vegas, and no passenger injuries were reported. However, two flight attendants are receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the turbulence.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident. Flight tracking websites indicated that the Southwest aircraft had entered the same airspace near Burbank as a privately owned Hawker Hunter Mk 58 fighter jet.

This latest scare adds to growing concerns over aviation safety in the United States, where a series of recent accidents and near-misses have raised red flags. In January, a tragic mid-air collision near Washington, D.C., claimed 67 lives. Compounding the issue are staff shortages at the FAA following budget cuts and workforce reductions under recent federal policies.

With investigations ongoing, the incident underscores the urgent need for modernization and increased oversight within the U.S. air traffic control system to ensure the continued safety of the skies.