Hawaii
Southwest 737 Has Dangerous, Stormy Go Around In Hawaii
Southwest Airlines has just internally revealed details of an incident that occurred back in April 2024, which can only be described as a very close call.
Southwest 737 descends to 400 feet above ocean
This incident dates back to April 11, 2024, and involves Southwest Airlines flight WN2786, scheduled to operate from Honolulu (HNL) to Lihue (LIH). The short 102-mile flight was operated by a roughly two-year-old Boeing 737 MAX 8 with the registration code N8788L.
Interestingly this incident wasn’t investigated by authorities at the time. Instead, this safety incident was reported internally, and Southwest’s Director of Flight Safety Programs & Assurance recently sent a memo to all pilots about what happened, which is why this is now getting some publicity.
With this incident, a very senior captain and a very junior first officer were paired on a three-day trip to Hawaii. The flight from the mainland to Hawaii went well, and then on the second day they were supposed to operate some inter-island flights.
Before the first flight, the pilots saw that the weather conditions at Lihue Airport were bad (poor visibility, thunderstorms, strong winds, etc.), and many pilots of other aircraft were performing missed approaches. Nonetheless, the captain elected to have the first officer be the “pilot flying” on this sector, to build their experience.
The pilots were prepared for a potential go around, given that conditions at the departure airport were just above the “minimums” needed to land, so they were fully briefed on the correct procedures. Sure enough, when the aircraft approached runway 17, the pilots didn’t have the runway in sight, so the first officer called for a go around. Unfortunately this go around was anything but routine.
During the go around, the first officer inadvertently pushed forward on the control column. The first officer also noticed the red airspeed tape, and pulled back on the thrust levers. When you push forward the control column and reduce thrust, there’s only one direction the plane is going, and that’s down. The plane descended all the way down to 400 feet(!!!!) above the Pacific Ocean.
While the “DON’T SINK” and “PULL UP” warnings went off in the cockpit during this time, the first officer states they didn’t hear this due to intense task saturation.
Fortunately the captain noticed what was going on at this point, and told the first officer to climb and turn left, causing the first officer to aggressively increase thrust. The aircraft climbed, maxing out at a climb rate of 8,500 feet per minute, which is very high.
Once the situation stabilized, the pilots first entered a holding pattern, and then made the decision to return to Honolulu, where the plane landed just under 85 minutes after it first departed.
Once back on the ground in Honolulu, the captain consulted with the dispatcher, and made the decision to try flying to Lihue again, with the captain being the “pilot flying” this time. Interestingly, the first officer didn’t speak up against this at the time, but later said that they wish they had shared their desire not to try a second attempt.
The first officer stated that they didn’t speak up in order to maintain the integrity of Southwest’s operation, and also because regulatory requirements to operate were still being met. So the flight departed Honolulu again, but weather conditions deteriorated, so the aircraft ultimately returned to Honolulu a second time.
@jonostrower published the full letter that Southwest shared internally with pilots regarding the incident, which is some fascinating reading.
I’m curious what’s learned from this event
It goes without saying that this event was terrifying, and a close call. The aircraft descended all the way down to 400 feet with virtually no visibility, so the plane was literally seconds from being in the Pacific Ocean. Fortunately this had a good ending for all involved.
There’s something to be learned from every aviation incident. Both pilots participated in a human factors interview following the flight, and stated that “seeing the severity of the event through the animations was a significant, emotional event.” The pilots also participated in comprehensive, corrective action, including Line Experience.
It’s way beyond my area of expertise to judge what happened here. It’s common for senior captains to be paired with junior officers (especially given how airline hiring has evolved in recent years), and it’s also important for newer pilots to gain experience with difficult situations, under close supervision.
What’s at least reassuring here is how transparently Southwest is communicating internally regarding this incident, and the fact that the pilots voluntarily reported what happened. That’s ultimately how aviation becomes safer.
Bottom line
A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 had a close call in Hawaii back in April, while trying to land in Lihue during a storm. A junior first officer was flying, and executed a go around. Somehow the first officer inadvertently pushed the control column down while also reducing thrust, causing the jet to descend to an altitude of just 400 feet above sea level.
Once the error was realized, the pilots went to the opposite extreme, and the jet climbed at a speed of up to 8,500 feet per minute. Fortunately the pilots managed to divert the aircraft safely back to Honolulu, but my gosh, what an incident.
What do you make of this Southwest incident?
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – One of Hawaii’s sweetest partnerships is returning with a larger footprint this year.
In celebration of National Pineapple Day and Dole’s 125th anniversary, residents who donate blood on Friday, June 26, will receive a free fresh Dole pineapple while supplies last.
The effort is a collaboration between Dole Food Company and Blood Bank of Hawaii aimed at boosting donations during a time of year when blood supplies traditionally decline.
According to Blood Bank of Hawaii, donations typically drop by about 15% during the summer months, even as hospitals continue to rely on a steady stream of lifesaving blood products every day. Organizers say all blood types are needed, with a particularly urgent demand for O-type blood, platelet donations, and AB plasma.
The campaign also comes during a milestone year for Dole.
The company is celebrating 125 years of pineapple history, commemorating the fruit that helped shape Hawaiʻi’s agricultural identity and introduced generations around the world to the islands’ pineapple legacy.
This year, blood donors will receive not only a pineapple, but commemorative Dole-branded anniversary gifts while supplies last.
National Pineapple Day recognizes a fruit often called the “fruit of kings.” Though pineapples originated in South and Central America, they became deeply intertwined with Hawaiʻi’s history after James Dole established commercial pineapple operations in the islands in the early 1900s. Today, Dole continues operating facilities in Wahiawā while promoting initiatives centered around nutrition and community wellness.
Unlike previous years, organizers are expanding the giveaway to every Blood Bank of Hawaii donor center and mobile drive location participating on Friday.
Donation sites include:
Young Street Donor Center
1907 Young Street, Honolulu
6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Waikele Center
94-849 Lumiaina Street, Waipahu
7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Windward Mall
46-056 Kamehameha Highway, Kāneʻohe
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Waikiki
2424 Kalākaua Avenue, Honolulu
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pearlridge Center
98-1005 Moanalua Road, ʻAiea
Noon to 6 p.m.
Appointments are strongly encouraged and can be made through Blood Bank of Hawaii’s website or by calling (808) 848-4770.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu welcomed the arrival of the Philippine contingent from the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard participating in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2026 that will be held from 24 June to 31 July 2026.
Led by Consul General Arman R. Talbo, the Consulate, together with members of the Filipino community in Hawaii, greeted the officers and crew aboard the PH Navy’s BRP Miguel Malvar and the PH Coast Guard’s BRP Gabriela Silang as they arrive and dock in Pearl Harbor, and conveyed support for their participation in the world’s largest international maritime exercise.
In his remarks, Consul General Talbo highlighted that the deployment of both a Philippine Navy and a Philippine Coast Guard vessel to RIMPAC 2026 reflects the Philippines’ growing maritime capabilities and its commitment to advancing maritime security, interoperability, and regional cooperation alongside allies and partners to promote a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region.
The Consul General further underscored that the participation of BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Gabriela Silang is especially meaningful as the Philippines and the United States commemorate the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. He noted that the presence of both vessels at RIMPAC symbolizes the strength of the Philippines-US alliance and the expanding cooperation between the two countries in defense, security, and maritime affairs.
Named after two distinguished heroes of Philippine history, BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Gabriela Silang also serve as reminders of the Philippines’ enduring legacy of courage, patriotism and unwavering dedication to national sovereignty.
The Philippine contingent will join other ships and personnel from participating nations during RIMPAC 2026 to further strengthen interoperability in multi-domain combat and contingency training. END
This article is brought to you by The Office of the Consul General of the Republic of the Philippines in Honolulu.
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(BIVN) – 10,000 rubber duckies will “race” across the lake at the Kings’ Shops in Waikoloa this Fourth of July.
The 34th annual Great Waikoloa Rubber Duckie Race will be on the Saturday, July 4th, held in support of the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaiʻi.
From a news release courtesy the Kings’ Shops and the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaiʻi:
The community fundraiser brings together a July 4 celebration, live entertainment, keiki activities and one of Waikoloa’s most visual traditions to support programs for children and adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities with similar service needs. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with scheduled activities beginning at 11 a.m. and the rubber duckie race starting at 3 p.m. at Kings’ Shops.
“Each year, this event gives the community a fun, visible way to support programs for people with disabilities and their families across Hawaii,” said John Nishida, executive director of United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii. “The duckie race has become a Waikoloa tradition because it brings people together for a celebration with a purpose.”
More than $25,000 in prizes will be awarded, including a grand prize trip for two to Japan. Additional prizes include resort stays, golf packages, boat cruises, dolphin experiences, gift baskets, shopping and dining certificates, and more. The first 50 duckies to finish the race, along with the last-place duckie, will win prizes for the people who adopted them.
This year’s Super Quackers theme will bring costumed superheroes throughout the center for photo opportunities and family-friendly fun. Tommy Ching returns as emcee, and the first 250 people to RSVP will receive a commemorative Super Quackers can cooler, while supplies last.
Event highlights include A-Bay’s Watermelon Eating Contest, live music by Kona Soul and Keoni Thompson, the Original Big Island Shave Ice Co. Shave Ice Eating Contest, the Fitness Forever Challenge, a preview of Aloha Theatre’s “Seussical,” and the duck waddling and duck calling contests. Guests will also find a scavenger hunt, free keiki activities, local artisan and food vendors, merchant offers, temporary tattoos by the Hawaii Army National Guard, Keiki ID services by the Hawaii Police Department, and pupus and drinks at Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill.
Duck adoptions are $5 each. Special adoption packages include the $30 Quack Pack, which includes five ducks in the race and a free T-shirt, and the $100 VIP package, which includes 40 ducks in the race and a free T-shirt. T-shirts for Quack Pack and VIP package adoptions will be held for pickup on race day.
Duckies may be adopted online in advance. In-person adoptions will be available at Kings’ Shops on July 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and July 4 from 10 a.m. until sold out.
For more information, contact UCPA of Hawaii at (808) 532-6744 or visit kingsshops.com/events.
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