Southwest Flight Into Tampa Flew As Low As 150 Feet Over Water

TAMPA, FL — The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a Southwest Airlines jet that flew as low as 150 feet over the Courtney Campbell Causeway on July 14.

The three preceding Southwest arrivals into Tampa’s Runway 10 flew over the same point at 1,225 feet, according to FlightRadar24.com.

Flight 425, which took off from Columbus, Ohio, was heading to Tampa International Airport, but after dipping so low over the water — just about 5 miles from its destination — the pilots never landed the plane. Instead, the flight continued another 200 miles before landing in Fort Lauderdale.

No reason has been given for the incident.

During its low descent, an air traffic controller told the pilot "Southwest 425, low altitude alert, check your altitude…,” according to audio obtained by Fox 13.

“Southwest Flight 425 safely diverted to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on July 14 after the Crew discontinued their planned approach into Tampa International Airport. The aircraft returned to Tampa after a short time on the ground in Fort Lauderdale. Southwest is following its robust Safety Management System and is in contact with the Federal Aviation Administration to understand and address any irregularities. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees,” the airline said in a statement to WFLA.

This story included reporting from The Associated Press.