Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into Southwest Airlines after a recent flight flew at a dangerously low altitude over Tampa Bay, Florida. This incident has raised concerns over the safety of the airline.

On July 14, a Southwest Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, originating from Columbus, Ohio, was flying approximately 3 miles (5 km) away from Tampa airport when it suddenly dropped to as low as about 175 feet (53 meters), based on Flightradar24 data. The air traffic controller promptly alerted the crew of Southwest Flight 425 about their low altitude, and the plane was rerouted to Fort Lauderdale as a precautionary measure.

Southwest Airlines stated that they are in contact with the FAA to understand and address any irregularities that occurred during the July 14 flight. The airline emphasized that the safety of its customers and employees is its top priority.

This incident is the latest in a series of safety concerns involving Southwest Airlines. In April, a Southwest 737 flight came perilously close to the ocean off Hawaii, missing it by about 400 feet (122 meters). This incident occurred because the first officer unintentionally pushed forward on the control column, causing the plane to descend at a rapid rate of approximately 4,400 feet per minute.

Furthermore, the FAA is also investigating another low altitude incident involving a Southwest Airlines flight that was about 9 miles (14.5 km) away from the Oklahoma City airport on June 19. In this case, Southwest Airlines Flight 4069, which departed from Las Vegas, dropped to about 500 feet before an alert sounded and the air traffic controller informed the flight crew.

Additionally, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are currently investigating a Southwest 737 MAX flight on May 25 that experienced a "Dutch roll" at 34,000 feet while en route from Phoenix, Arizona, to Oakland, California. This particular aircraft movement, named after a Dutch ice skating technique, can pose serious safety risks.

Lastly, the FAA is examining a June 25 Southwest flight that departed from a closed runway in Portland, Maine. The details surrounding this incident are still being investigated.

The frequent safety concerns involving Southwest Airlines have prompted the FAA to take action and thoroughly investigate the airline's operations. It is crucial that safety measures are taken to avoid any potential accidents or risks for passengers and crew members.