A Southwest Airlines flight from Honolulu to Lihue, Hawaii, narrowly avoided catastrophe in April after a dramatic and rapid descent due to poor weather conditions, The New York Post reports. The Boeing 737 Max 8, operating as Southwest Flight 2786, was forced to abandon its landing approach due to low visibility and plunged several hundred feet within seconds.
Critical descent and swift recovery
According to the report, the plane’s descent rate was alarmingly faster than usual, bringing it perilously close—just 400 feet—to the ocean surface. Fortunately, the crew’s quick reaction averted disaster. They regained control and climbed the aircraft steeply, avoiding a potential crash.
Investigation and pilot error
A report obtained by Bloomberg reveals that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident. The report indicates that a relatively inexperienced first officer was in control during the approach. When the landing was aborted due to weather, the pilot took over, but the first officer inadvertently pushed the controls forward at a critical moment, causing the sudden descent.
Kit Darby, a former commercial airline pilot and flight instructor, told the outlet that the situation was nearly out of control, describing it as “very close” to a roller coaster ride. The pilot quickly rectified the situation by increasing thrust, allowing the plane to climb safely.
In response to the incident, Southwest Airlines released a statement emphasizing their commitment to safety. They mentioned reviewing internal data to ensure proper training and communication protocols are followed by crew members to prevent such occurrences in the future.
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