In a recent incident, a Southwest Airlines Co. passenger flight narrowly avoided disaster after weather conditions forced pilots to abort a landing attempt off the coast of Hawaii. The Boeing Co. 737 Max 8 jet experienced a sudden drop at a rate of more than 4,000 feet per minute before the flight crew managed to regain control, according to a memo seen by Bloomberg News.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the flight safely returned to its departure airport in Honolulu. Upon learning of the incident, the US Federal Aviation Administration initiated an investigation. This incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of safety incidents as airlines increase operations following the pandemic.

The mishap, which had not been previously reported, highlights the growing concerns faced by Southwest Airlines management. Activist firm Elliott Investment Management and other investors have expressed frustrations over the company's financial performance and insular corporate culture.

Data from ADS-B Exchange, a flight tracking website, revealed that Southwest Flight 2786 experienced a sudden drop from an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet to just 400 feet above the ocean near Lihue Airport on the island of Kauai. The pilot struggled to regain control, causing the plane to pitch up and down, creating a roller coaster effect.

According to Southwest's internal review, the incident occurred when the pilots aborted the landing due to poor visibility caused by inclement weather. Despite the weather forecasts, the less-experienced first officer was put in command. Inadvertently, the first officer pushed forward on the control column, resulting in a speed reduction and a subsequent descent. Alarms alerted the crew to the aircraft's proximity to the surface, prompting the captain to order an increase in thrust. The plane then climbed rapidly at a rate of 8,500 feet per minute.

Industry expert Kit Darby noted that the plane's descent rate was significantly higher than normal landing procedures, which typically involve a glide rate of 1,500 to 2,000 feet per minute.

The National Transportation Safety Board has not been briefed on the incident, and the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association declined to comment. Southwest Airlines, citing an FAA-overseen safety program allowing anonymous reporting, refrained from disclosing the flight number or the specific date of the incident.

Following their review, Southwest Airlines emphasized the importance of proper pilot monitoring and improved communication between crew members. The airline has pledged to analyze industry and internal data related to procedures and training protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

This incident bears similarity to a previous event in December 2022 when a United Airlines Holdings Inc. flight also came perilously close to the ocean shortly after takeoff from a different Hawaiian airport. Investigations revealed that miscommunication between the pilots on board contributed to the mishap, resulting in additional training for the personnel involved.

It is crucial for airlines to prioritize safety as they navigate the challenges posed by weather conditions and increased flying during the post-pandemic recovery phase.