Near-Miss at Chicago Midway: A Heart-Stopping Moment in the Skies
A potential catastrophe was narrowly avoided at Chicago Midway International Airport on Tuesday morning when a Southwest Airlines jet was forced to abort its landing to avoid a private jet that had mistakenly entered the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the chilling incident, emphasizing the importance of air traffic protocols.
Southwest Flight 2504, arriving from Omaha, Nebraska, was on its final descent when the flight crew had to execute a last-minute go-around—a maneuver that sent the plane soaring back into the sky to prevent a runway collision. Passengers onboard had no idea of the gravity of the situation until after landing, as the pilot’s composed demeanor kept everyone calm.
Meanwhile, the private jet—a Bombardier Challenger 350 operated by Flexjet—was supposed to cross one runway and hold short of another. However, confusion over air traffic control instructions led it directly onto the path of the incoming Southwest jet. The planes came within 2,050 feet of each other before Flight 2504 took evasive action.
FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials are now investigating the runway incursion as part of a broader probe into a series of recent aviation safety scares. The incident at Midway happened just 90 minutes after another alarming event at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, where an American Airlines flight was forced to cancel its landing to avoid a departing aircraft.
“It is imperative that pilots follow the instructions of air traffic controllers. If they do not, their licenses will be pulled,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated on X, underscoring the severity of the situation.
Passengers aboard the Southwest flight were stunned when they later watched footage of the near-miss. “We had no idea what happened,” traveler Emily Novak said. “The pilot made it seem routine. Then we saw the video, and we were like, what?!”
Another passenger, Todd Engel, recalled saying a prayer when he felt the sudden acceleration during the landing attempt. “The pilot later told us there was a plane on the runway. We had to circle back and land, but everything remained surprisingly calm.”
The FAA and NTSB have been closely monitoring an increasing number of runway incursions and midair incidents. In recent weeks, aviation authorities have been investigating a deadly midair collision over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., a Medevac jet crash in Philadelphia, and a fatal regional airline accident near Nome, Alaska.
With the recent uptick in aviation mishaps, industry leaders are pushing for enhanced safety measures, stricter pilot compliance, and improved communication between air traffic controllers and flight crews. Flexjet, the operator of the private jet involved in the Midway incident, pledged to conduct a thorough internal review and ensure the highest safety standards moving forward.
While Southwest Flight 2504 ultimately landed safely, this near-miss serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of vigilance and precision in air traffic management. As investigations continue, one thing is clear—split-second decisions can mean the difference between life and tragedy in the skies.
