An event involving a Southwest Airlines plane’s dramatic descent close to the Pacific Ocean’s surface has instigated an examination by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). According to a memo circulated to Southwest pilots and acquired by Bloomberg, the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft experienced a rapid decrease in altitude off the Hawaiian coast at a rate of 4,000 feet per minute, bringing it to within a few hundred feet of the ocean’s surface before it managed to ascend to a secure altitude.
The incident, which took place on the 11th of April under challenging weather conditions, happened while the plane was en route from Honolulu to Lihue. Bloomberg stated that during this rapid descent, the aircraft reached a point about 400 feet above the sea, as per data from an aircraft tracking website. However, no injuries were reported.
The airline highlighted the importance of safety in a statement released to the press, mentioning that they have a robust Safety Management System that promptly addressed the event, as part of their ongoing commitment to continuous enhancement of safety standards. The FAA shared with CNN that they were promptly informed about the occurrence and promptly launched an investigation into the matter. Following the incident, the plane was redirected to Honolulu.
Bloomberg also reported on a separate incident from a Friday Southwest Airlines flight in May, in which a Boeing 737 Max 8 was damaged during a ‘Dutch roll’. This phenomenon, where the aircraft’s tail sways from side to side causing the wings to oscillate upwards and downwards, occurred while the plane was cruising at 34,000 feet between Arizona and California. Though the aircraft landed safely, the airline did not inform the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the event or the damage to the plane until the 7th of June.
According to an FAA report, considerable damage was found on a unit that powers backup to the plane’s rudder. It is yet unclear what caused the incident, which is one among many involving the Boeing 737 Max model.
Earlier this year, the FAA grounded nearly 200 Boeing 737 Max 9 planes after a piece of the aircraft’s body came loose during a flight. These planes were later permitted to resume flights after a comprehensive inspection and maintenance procedure. – Guardian