Southwest Flight Nearly Collides With Jet at Chicago Midway

A Southwest Airlines flight was forced to abort its landing at Chicago Midway International Airport Tuesday morning after a private jet unexpectedly taxied onto the runway nearly causing a collision, according to reports from CNN and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Southwest Flight 2504 was arriving from Omaha, Nebraska and had to perform a “go-around” maneuver after a Bombardier Challenger 350 private jet entered the runway without authorization. The FAA confirmed the private jet, operated by Flexjet, had been instructed to cross one runway and “hold short”, but instead moved into the path of the arriving Southwest plane.

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Air traffic control recordings capture the moment controllers quickly correct the private jet’s pilot. Despite the close call, the Southwest crew safely executed the go-around and landed without issue. The FAA reported that the two planes were only about .49 miles apart at their closest points.

The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred around 8:50 AM local time. This near-collision adds to a growing list of recent aviation safety concerns— including the deadly midair crash over the Potomac River, a Medevac jet crash in Philadelphia, and a fatal regional airline crash off the coast of Alaska.

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A Southwest spokesperson told CNN:

“The crew followed safety procedures, and the flight landed without incident. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees.”

The National Transportation Safety Board has not yet commented on the situation as the investigation continues.