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Southwest Airlines flight narrowly avoids disaster near Tampa Bay

Southwest Airlines flight narrowly avoids disaster near Tampa Bay
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Gary Leff Chief Financial Officer | View from the Wing

A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 came within 150 feet of the water while still three miles out from Tampa airport. Flight 425 from Columbus diverted to Fort Lauderdale.

Breaking Aviation News & Videos tweeted, "Southwest Airlines 737 MAX descends dangerously low over the waters of Tampa Bay after descending to 150 feet four miles from landing at Tampa Airport."

Air traffic control alerted the Southwest plane that they were dangerously low: “Southwest 425, low altitude alert, check your altitude. Tampa’s altimeter is 30.14.” There was rain in the area at the time with probable low visibility, and the flight ended up going around after the incident during approach.

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“There was rain in the area at the time with probable low visibility,” stated a source familiar with the situation.

Air traffic control suggested the possibility of an incorrect altimeter setting.

The Southwest flight made a go-around and landed safely at its diversion airport before continuing to Tampa.

This incident comes less than a month after a Southwest Airlines flight descended to just over 500 feet while still nine miles out from Oklahoma City airport. In April, a Southwest Airlines flight in Hawaii came within 400 feet of the Pacific Ocean. Last month, a Southwest Airlines flight took off from a closed runway.

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