Southwest Airlines Flight Cleared for Landing After Avoiding Collision with Business Jet at Chicago Midway
A Southwest flight performed a go-around after a business jet entered the runway unauthorized, prompting FAA and NTSB investigations into rising aviation safety issues.
Air traffic control audio makes clear that the business jet failed to heed clear instruction not to cross the runway.
Southwest Airlines flight abruptly rises to avoid another plane crossing Chicago runway
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The past few weeks have seen four major aviation disasters in North America.
Southwest Airlines flight abruptly rises to avoid another plane crossing Chicago runway
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Runway incursions are rare but have seen a troubling spike as air travel rapidly recovered post pandemic.
Southwest Airlines plane aborts landing after close call at Chicago's Midway Airport
CBS News·2M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The near-miss is the latest in a string of recent safety-related events across North America.
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Over the last two years, a series of troubling near-miss incidents has raised concerns about U.S. aviation safety and the strain on understaffed air traffic control operations.
Southwest jet narrowly avoids colliding with business jet at Chicago airport
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According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the other involved aircraft was a business jet that "entered the runway without authorization" at the Chicago airport.
Southwest Airlines flight narrowly avoids hitting business jet at Chicago Midway Airport
USA TODAY·2M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The past few weeks have seen four major aviation disasters in North America.
Southwest Airlines flight abruptly rises to avoid another plane crossing Chicago runway
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Go-arounds, while a routine safety maneuver for pilots, are generally a last resort to avoid unsafe landings.
Southwest plane and private jet nearly collide at Chicago Midway Airport
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The close call comes as the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating a string of safety incidents in recent weeks, including the deadly midair collision over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport last month, a Medevac jet crash in Philadelphia and a deadly regional airline crash off the coast of Nome, Alaska.
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Summary
On February 25, 2025, Southwest Airlines Flight 2504 had to abort its landing at Midway Airport due to a business jet crossing the runway without clearance. The Boeing 737-800, arriving from Omaha, performed a precautionary go-around maneuver after the approach, where audio recordings captured the pilot's surprise at the near-miss. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board have launched investigations into the incident as a part of ongoing concerns over runway incursions and aviation safety, considering recent accidents. Flexjet, the owner of the business jet, stated it is also conducting a thorough investigation.
Perspectives
Both Delta and Southwest Airlines incidents raised serious safety concerns in the aviation industry, highlighting the need for stringent oversight.
FAA investigations are underway to determine the causes of these incidents, amid growing concerns over aviation safety standards.
These events have prompted discussions about the adequacy of current safety protocols and personnel cuts at the FAA.
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