A Southwest Airlines flight narrowly avoided a collision with a business jet that had crossed into its path during an attempted landing at Midway Airport on Tuesday morning, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The incident occurred just before 9 a.m. as Southwest Airlines Flight 2504 from Omaha, Nebraska, was approaching the runway. Video footage shared on social media showed the plane pulling up just before touching down as the smaller jet taxied across its path. The Southwest flight executed a “go-around” maneuver and later landed safely without any reported injuries.
Passenger Caley Maszk described the moment, saying the plane appeared to be “inches” from the ground before suddenly ascending again. Initially unaware of the severity of the situation, Maszk only realized the gravity of the incident after viewing video footage upon landing in Dallas. The pilot of the private jet, operated by Flexjet, reportedly misunderstood air traffic control instructions, according to audio from LiveATC.net.
The swift actions of the Southwest crew were praised by Bill Bernal, president of the union representing Southwest Airlines flight attendants. “Dedication to training and experience saved lives today,” Bernal stated. Both Southwest Airlines and Flexjet have confirmed they are conducting thorough investigations into the incident.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA are also investigating the event, which U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia described as a “close call” requiring a full inquiry. Jeff Guzzetti, a former NTSB member, classified the incident as a “very serious runway incursion” but noted that such events remain rare, with only seven serious runway incursions recorded in 2024, down from 22 in 2023.
This incident adds to recent concerns about aviation safety following several high-profile accidents across North America. — news from Chicago Sun-Times