FAA investigates Southwest flight that reportedly descended to 175 feet, triggered low altitude warning

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed to Nexstar Saturday that it is investigating an incident involving a Southwest Airlines flight to Tampa Bay, Florida that was forced to divert to Fort Lauderdale last weekend.

According to Flightradar24 data obtained by Reuters, the plane descended to a very low altitude – roughly 175 feet – with 3 miles to go before reaching Tampa International Airport.

For context, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 making the flight has a wingspan of 117 feet and 10 inches, according to Boeing's website.

The plane was so low that a Tampa air traffic controller radioed the crew to warn them, and the flight was diverted to Fort Lauderdale, Reuters reports.

The flight, which was traveling from Columbus, was initially scheduled to arrive in Tampa at 6:10 p.m. on Sunday, June 14.

A spokesperson for Southwest Airlines gave the following statement:

Southwest Flight 425 safely diverted to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on July 14 after the Crew discontinued their planned approach to Tampa International Airport. The aircraft returned to Tampa after a short time on the ground in Fort Lauderdale. Southwest is following its robust Safety Management System and is in contact with the Federal Aviation Administration to understand and address any irregularities. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees.

The investigation follows a June 16 incident that prompted another FAA probe after a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max fell into a “Dutch roll” during a flight.

Pilots performed the potentially dangerous maneuver, which combines a tail slide and rolling motion, during a May 25 flight from Phoenix to Oakland, according to the Associated Press.