On Friday, two flight attendants on Southwest Airlines Flight 1496 were injured when the plane, departing from Burbank, California, took evasive action to avoid another aircraft during takeoff. The pilots sharply descended nearly 500 feet, as reported by flight tracking websites. 

 This incident marks the second time within a week that a U.S. commercial jet had to perform abrupt maneuvers to prevent a potential mid-air collision. Southwest Airlines confirmed the event, highlighting the quick response of the flight crew to ensure safety. 

The injured flight attendants received medical attention, and the airline is investigating the incident to assess the circumstances and prevent future occurrences. This event underscores ongoing concerns about air traffic control and the need for enhanced safety measures to manage close calls in busy airspace, prompting discussions about improving protocols to protect passengers and crew.