Wed Feb 26 05:38:05 UTC 2025: ## Southwest Pilot Averts Disaster, Avoiding Runway Collision at Chicago Midway
**Chicago, IL –** A Southwest Airlines pilot averted a potential catastrophe Tuesday morning at Chicago Midway International Airport, executing a last-second go-around to avoid a collision with a private jet that had entered the runway without authorization. The near-miss, which occurred around 8:50 am local time, involved Southwest Flight 2504 arriving from Omaha, Nebraska, and a Bombardier Challenger 350 private jet bound for Knoxville, Tennessee.
Video footage of the incident, widely circulated on social media, shows the Southwest plane initiating its landing when the private jet suddenly appears on the runway. The Southwest pilot reacted swiftly, aborting the landing just 50 feet from the ground and climbing to avoid a collision. The plane subsequently landed safely after the maneuver.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the private jet’s pilot received incorrect information from air traffic control and ignored at least nine subsequent warnings to hold their position away from the runway. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.
This near-miss follows a series of recent aviation accidents, including a fatal midair collision last month. The incident highlights the critical importance of adherence to air traffic control instructions and underscores the skill and quick thinking of the Southwest pilot in preventing a major tragedy.
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