A Southwest Airlines airplane descended prematurely on Wednesday over Oklahoma City, startling residents miles from the airport, earlier than regaining altitude after which touchdown safely.
After starting a descent from 39,000 toes, the Boeing 737-800, flight No. 4069 from Las Vegas to Oklahoma City, was nonetheless 9 miles wanting the airport when it reached an altitude of about 525 toes, in line with a report by The Associated Press that cited Flightradar24 knowledge. The airplane then ascended once more to about 3,000 feet earlier than touchdown efficiently at its deliberate vacation spot, Will Rogers World Airport, at 12:16 a.m. native time.
An automated warning was triggered by the low altitude, and an air visitors controller alerted the pilots, the Federal Aviation Administration stated in an announcement.
“Southwest 4069, low altitude alert. You good on the market?” the controller will be heard saying in a recording from LiveATC.net offered to The Oklahoman newspaper.
The F.A.A. stated it was investigating the incident.
The airplane’s low level occurred roughly over town of Yukon, simply west of Oklahoma City. Some individuals within the space stated on social media that they have been alarmed by the noise and low path of the jet.
“Southwest is following its sturdy Safety Management System and is in touch with the Federal Aviation Administration to know and deal with any irregularities with the plane’s strategy to the airport,” the airline stated in an announcement.
There isn’t any indication that the incident was brought on by any mechanical failure, however Boeing planes have been concerned in a number of latest security incidents.
Most notably, a door panel blew out of an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 jet in January, resulting in the non permanent grounding of some planes, an organization plan to enhance security and an apology from the corporate’s chief government, Dave Calhoun.
