Picture credits: AirNavRadar X, from a video
Illinois: A Southwest Airlines flight came dangerously close to colliding with a private business jet at Chicago’s Midway International Airport on Feb 25, 2025, Tuesday, morning.
Southwest Flight 2504, arriving from Omaha, Nebraska, was descending for landing when it abruptly aborted to avoid a Bombardier Challenger 350 taxiing across the runway. The Southwest aircraft was just inches from the ground when its pilots executed a go-around, quickly climbing skyward. Seconds later, the plane flew over the private jet at an altitude of approximately 250 feet, according to preliminary flight data from FlightRadar24.
Watch the video here:
Chicago airport earlier this morning 😳@AirNavRadar pic.twitter.com/BueSghL3mm
— Flight Emergency (@FlightEmergency) February 25, 2025
Airline and FAA Statements
Southwest Airlines confirmed the incident, stating: “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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also confirmed it was investigating, stating: “The crew of Southwest Airlines Flight 2504 initiated a go-around when a business jet entered the runway without authorization at Chicago Midway Airport. The FAA is investigating the incident, which occurred around 8:50 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Feb. 25.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also stated it was reviewing the incident as part of its ongoing monitoring of runway incursions.
Miscommunication and Emergency Response
The private jet, a Bombardier Challenger 350 operated by Flexjet, had been instructed by air traffic controllers to: “Turn left on Runway 4L, cross Runway 31L, and hold short of Runway 31C.”
However, the Flexjet pilot appeared confused, incorrectly repeating the instructions. ATC immediately corrected the pilot, firmly stating: “Flexjet 560, negative! Cross 31L, hold short of Runway 31C.”
Despite this, the business jet proceeded onto Runway 31C, where Southwest 2504 was about to land. As the Southwest jet descended to 50 feet above the ground, pilots saw the business jet and initiated an emergency go-around.
ATC quickly responded: “Southwest 2504, uh, roger that. Climb, maintain 3,000.”
Flight data confirms the Southwest aircraft came within 2,050 feet horizontally and approximately 250 feet vertically of the business jet before it climbed away. Audio recordings later captured the Southwest pilot asking ATC, “How’d that happen?”
Flexjet and U.S. Transportation Department Response
Flexjet acknowledged the incident, stating: “We are aware of the occurrence today in Chicago. Flexjet adheres to the highest safety standards, and we are conducting a thorough investigation. Any action to rectify and ensure the highest safety standards will be taken.”
Meanwhile, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized the importance of following ATC instructions, warning: “It is imperative that pilots follow the instructions of air traffic controllers. If they do not, their licenses will be pulled.”
Broader Safety Concerns
This incident adds to growing concerns over aviation safety in the U.S., where a series of near-miss incidents in the past two years has raised alarms about operational risks at major airports.
In response, the FAA has launched an audit of runway incursion risks at the 45 busiest U.S. airports to prevent similar incidents.
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