Near-Miss at Chicago Airport: Southwest Plane Avoids Collision with Business Jet

A Southwest Airlines flight safely landed at Chicago Midway International Airport after a near-miss with a business jet that entered the runway without authorization. Southwest Flight 2504 from Omaha, Nebraska, executed a precautionary go-around before landing safely. Air traffic controllers had instructed the Flexjet business jet to hold short, but it failed to comply. The two planes were approximately 2,050 feet apart before the Southwest crew took action. Passengers were unaware of the incident until seeing video footage later, with many praising the crew’s professionalism. Southwest Airlines and Flexjet reaffirmed their commitment to safety, and the FAA and NTSB are investigating. Passengers expressed shock and gratitude, with one stating, “If I could hug the pilot right now, I probably would.”

Near-Miss at Chicago Airport: Southwest Plane Avoids Collision with Business Jet

A Southwest Airlines flight safely landed at Chicago Midway International Airport after a near-miss with a business jet that entered the runway without clearance, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Southwest Flight 2504, arriving from Omaha, Nebraska, performed a precautionary go-around to avoid a possible collision before successfully landing on Tuesday morning, as confirmed by the airline. The FAA reported that the business jet crossed onto the runway despite being instructed by air traffic controllers to hold short. A controller was heard reminding the Flexjet pilot, “Your instructions were to hold short of runway 31 center.” Data from FlightRadar24 revealed that the aircraft were approximately 2,050 feet apart before the Southwest crew initiated the maneuver.

Southwest Airlines reaffirmed its commitment to safety, stating that it remains the top priority for both customers and employees. A Flexjet spokesperson assured that the company adheres to the highest safety standards and has launched a thorough investigation into the incident, promising to take any necessary corrective actions. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA are currently investigating the matter.

Meanwhile, two passengers from Omaha told ABC’s Chicago affiliate, WLS, that they had no idea about the close call until they later saw footage of the event after arriving at their final destination in Dallas. Caley Maszk, one of the passengers, described the flight as calm and routine, saying, “I don’t think anyone realized it at the time.” After the go-around, the pilot reassured passengers, explaining that they had to loop around for 10 minutes due to another aircraft being on the tarmac.

Emily Novak, who was traveling with Caley Maszk, commended the Southwest Airlines crew for their calm and professional response, emphasizing that pilots undergo rigorous training to handle such unexpected situations. She expressed confidence in the crew’s ability to react effectively under pressure, ensuring the safety of everyone on board.

Maszk recalled how routine and uneventful the flight seemed at the time, with passengers unaware of the potential danger unfolding. She noted that there was no panic, turbulence, or abrupt movements, which contributed to the calm atmosphere inside the cabin. Even after the go-around maneuver, the pilot kept passengers reassured, explaining that they needed to circle the airport for about 10 minutes before landing.

However, upon watching the footage later, both Maszk and Novak were stunned by how close the two aircraft had come to each other. Maszk admitted feeling a mix of shock and gratitude, realizing how swiftly and efficiently the Southwest crew had responded to the unexpected runway incursion. She described it as a moment of deep appreciation for the skills of airline pilots and air traffic controllers, adding, “It’s one thing to hear about these incidents, but seeing it with your own eyes makes you appreciate how important their job is.”

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