A Southwest Airlines flight had a near-miss with a private jet at Chicago Midway International Airport on Tuesday morning. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported the incident, which could have led to a serious collision.
Southwest Flight 2504 was arriving from Omaha, Nebraska, when the crew spotted the private jet on the runway. To avoid an accident, they decided to perform a go-around. Fortunately, the flight landed safely afterward.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are looking into what happened. This incident occurred shortly after 8:50 a.m. local time and adds to recent safety concerns in aviation, including several serious incidents, such as a tragic midair collision and crashes that resulted in fatalities.
The private jet involved was a Bombardier Challenger 350, which was on its way to Knoxville, Tennessee. According to air traffic control records, the jet received instructions to navigate around the runway but mistakenly entered without authorization.
Audio recordings reveal the communication breakdown. Air traffic control told the private jet to turn left onto Runway 4L, cross another runway, and hold short, but the pilot misinterpreted the instructions.
As the Southwest plane approached, the crew decided to go around to prevent a collision. The tower quickly acknowledged their decision and advised them to climb to 3,000 feet. The crew operated safely under pressure, following established procedures.
Passengers on the Southwest flight were initially unaware of the danger. Emily Novak said that the pilot remained calm, and she did not feel any panic on board. She expressed her gratitude for the professionalism of the flight crew.
Another passenger, Todd Engel, who always prays before flying, said that he felt the plane accelerate unexpectedly. After the pilot informed everyone about the runway situation, they circled back and landed safely. Engel noted the calm atmosphere during the flight.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that pilots must follow air traffic instructions. He stated that failure to comply could result in serious consequences.
Flexjet, the operator of the Bombardier jet, acknowledged the incident and is gathering more information. The aircraft can accommodate up to nine passengers.
Reports indicate that the two planes came within about 2,050 feet of each other before the Southwest aircraft initiated the go-around. The Southwest flight flew above the private jet at about 900 feet, which was 250 feet above ground level after adjusting for pressure.
The NTSB has been investigating multiple runway incursions, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in aviation. From January 2023 to September 2024, they looked into 13 such cases involving commercial flights, which ranged from minor incidents to those that narrowly avoided collisions.
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