Southwest Airlines faces FAA review following recent incidents

Southwest Airlines (LUV) is facing a safety review by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following a series of incidents in recent months, the company confirmed on Tuesday.

An FAA spokesman said the agency has “increased oversight of Southwest Airlines to ensure it complies with federal safety regulations.” The airline is “working closely with the (FAA) in its review of recent incidents,” an airline spokesman said Tuesday.

Southwest “recently formed a dedicated team of subject matter experts and leaders” comprised of members of Southwest, the airline’s union partners and the FAA, a spokesman said. The group is “tasked with conducting a thorough, data-driven analysis to identify opportunities for improvement.”

According to Flightradar24, a Southwest flight to Tampa on July 14 descended to as low as 150 feet above the water about 5 miles from its scheduled destination. The plane landed in Fort Lauderdale.

This incident occurred about a month after a Southwest flight from Phoenix to Oakland experienced a so-called “Dutch roll,” in which the plane rolls from side to side while simultaneously wagging its tail, triggering an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, according to a Reuters Report.

“Safety will dictate the timing,” the FAA spokesman said. Southwest shares fell 1.7% on Tuesday, while the S&P 500 edged down slightly. The company will release its latest financial results later this week.