Approximately 6 minutes after departing from Burbank, California on 25/7, Southwest Airlines flight 1496 abruptly descended from about 4,300 meters to approximately 4,150 meters.

"While in the Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center’s airspace, Southwest flight 1496 maneuvered in response to an alert indicating another aircraft was nearby," the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated.

A Southwest Airlines plane prepares to land at Chicago Midway International Airport in Chicago, Illinois in February. Photo: AFP

Passenger Steve Ulasewicz reported feeling a noticeable descent for about two seconds. He initially assumed the plane had encountered turbulence.

"Then, about three seconds later, the plane went into a near free fall for about 8 to 10 seconds," he recounted. "People were screaming. It was chaotic. Everyone thought we were going down," Ulasewicz added, explaining that the pilot later announced the maneuver was to "avoid a midair collision".

The other aircraft involved was a single-seat Hawker Hunter, owned by a Delaware company, flying at approximately 4,460 meters when the Southwest flight began its descent.

When an aircraft's collision avoidance system detects a potential conflict, one plane will ascend or descend, while the other performs the opposite maneuver. Preliminary data suggests the two planes were several kilometers apart when the pilots received the alert.

Following the incident, the Southwest flight continued to Las Vegas, Nevada and landed safely. A spokesperson for Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas confirmed medical personnel were present upon landing, and one injured person was transported to a hospital.

"All passengers are safe. Two injured flight attendants are receiving medical attention," Southwest Airlines stated.

Huyen Le (According to NBC, ABC News)