Wed Feb 26 02:24:30 UTC 2025: ## Near Miss at Chicago Midway Airport: Southwest Plane Avoids Collision with Business Jet
**Chicago, IL – February 26, 2025** – A Southwest Airlines flight narrowly avoided a collision with a FlexJet business jet at Chicago’s Midway Airport Tuesday morning, prompting investigations by the FAA and NTSB.
Southwest Flight 2504, en route from Omaha, Nebraska, was preparing to land when the FlexJet, identified as LXJ560, crossed the runway without authorization. The Southwest pilot executed a “go-around,” safely climbing back into the sky to avoid a potential disaster. Airport webcam footage and air traffic control audio recordings captured the near-miss.
Audio recordings reveal a miscommunication between the FlexJet pilot and air traffic control. The pilot appeared to misinterpret instructions to “hold short” of the runway. The FAA confirmed the business jet’s unauthorized runway incursion.
Both FlexJet and Southwest Airlines are cooperating with investigations. FlexJet stated they are conducting a thorough investigation and will take necessary action to ensure the highest safety standards. While the incident is considered a “very serious runway incursion” by aviation experts, it comes amidst a reported decrease in such incidents in 2024 compared to the previous year. Investigators will examine factors such as air traffic control staffing levels and clarity of instructions.
This near-miss follows a series of recent aviation accidents in North America, including several fatal crashes in January and February. Despite the concerning trend, experts note that the successful avoidance of a collision in this instance highlights the effectiveness of existing safety protocols. The investigations are ongoing.
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