On Tuesday morning, a tense situation unfolded at Chicago Midway International Airport when a Southwest Airlines plane and a private jet found themselves in a potentially dangerous situation on the runway. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the private jet entered the runway without authorization, prompting the Southwest flight crew to take evasive action. Southwest Flight 2504, which was arriving from Omaha, Nebraska, executed a go-around maneuver to avoid a potential collision. The plane landed safely, and all passengers and crew were unharmed. The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred around 8:50 a.m. local time.
The close call is the latest in a series of concerning safety incidents in recent weeks, raising questions about aviation safety in the U.S. Just days earlier, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA were already investigating several other serious events, including a deadly midair collision over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, a Medevac jet crash in Philadelphia, and a fatal regional airline crash off the coast of Nome, Alaska. These incidents have put a spotlight on the importance of adhering to safety protocols and communication procedures in aviation.
The private jet involved in the Chicago incident was a Bombardier Challenger 350 operated by Flexjet, heading to Knoxville, Tennessee. According to audio recordings from LiveATC.net, air traffic control had instructed the pilot of the private jet to turn left on Runway 4L, cross Runway 31L, and hold short of Runway 31C. However, the pilot’s response indicated a possible misunderstanding of the instructions, which caused confusion. The controller immediately corrected the pilot, saying, “Flexjet 560, negative! Cross 31L, hold short Runway 31C.” Meanwhile, the Southwest plane, approaching for landing, was forced to abort its initial landing attempt and circle back due to the presence of the private jet on the runway. The decision to perform a go-around was made swiftly, and air traffic controllers responded by instructing the Southwest pilot to climb and maintain an altitude of 3,000 feet.
Once the Southwest plane reached 3,000 feet, the pilot radioed back to the tower, asking, “Southwest 2504, uh, how’d that happen?” The exact circumstances of the incident are still under investigation, but it appears that a miscommunication or misinterpretation of instructions by the private jet’s pilot may have contributed to the near-miss. The Southwest spokesperson emphasized that the crew followed proper safety procedures, and the flight ultimately landed without incident. Flexjet, the operator of the private jet, acknowledged the event and stated that they were gathering more information about what happened. The private jet, which can carry up to nine passengers, was not involved in any other reported issues during the flight.
Data from FlightRadar24, a flight tracking service, revealed that the two planes came as close as approximately 2,050 feet before the Southwest plane initiated the go-around. At the time of the maneuver, the Southwest plane was flying at an uncorrected pressure altitude of 900 feet, which is about 250 feet above ground level when adjusted for pressure and elevation. The proximity of the two aircraft highlights the critical importance of precise communication and adherence to air traffic control instructions to prevent such close calls in the future.
The NTSB has also been made aware of the incident and is gathering information to determine whether it warrants further investigation. Over the past 18 months, from January 2023 to September 2024, the NTSB has investigated 13 runway incursions involving commercial or for-hire flights, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and improved safety measures in aviation. While the exact cause of the Chicago incident is still unknown, it serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with miscommunication and procedural errors in one of the safest modes of transportation.
In response to the incident, both Southwest Airlines and Flexjet have reaffirmed their commitment to safety. Southwest highlighted that the safety of their customers and employees is their top priority, while Flexjet expressed their dedication to understanding what went wrong. As the investigation unfolds, aviation authorities will be closely examining the communication exchange between the pilots and air traffic control, as well as the procedures in place at Chicago Midway International Airport, to identify any systemic issues that may have contributed to the close call.
This incident, while alarming, also demonstrates the effectiveness of safety protocols when they are followed correctly. The quick thinking of the Southwest pilots and the swift response of air traffic controllers likely prevented what could have been a much more serious situation. As the FAA and NTSB work to determine the root cause of the incident, it serves as a critical learning moment for the aviation industry, emphasizing the importance of clear communication, adherence to instructions, and the need for ongoing training to minimize the risk of such events in the future. For now, the investigation is ongoing, and updates are expected as more information becomes available.
