Shocking Audio Reveals Moments Before Southwest Plane Nearly Collides with Jet at Midway
‘Go-Around’ Averts Collision
What we know:
* The Southwest plane, flight 2504, landed safely after performing a “precautionary go-around to avoid a possible conflict with another aircraft that entered the runway,” according to a Southwest Airlines spokesperson.
* The flight landed without incident.
* “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees,” the spokesperson added.
* A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the incident happened around 8:50 a.m.
* The other aircraft, a Flexjet business jet, entered the runway without authorization, the FAA said.
* No injuries were reported.
Video of the incident posted on X by the account Flight Emergency appeared to show the Southwest plane about to land and quickly take off again as the other aircraft crossed the runway.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said on its X account that it was investigating the near miss at Midway.
Recent Air Travel Incidents
Big picture view:
* Tuesday’s near-miss at Midway comes amid heightened anxiety over air travel safety with deadly plane crashes in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia in recent weeks.
* Such near misses are also a relatively common occurrence at Midway and O’Hare airports, according to data collected by NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System.
* Each year, about one near collision takes place at Midway and a little more than one, on average, happen at O’Hare.
Conclusion
This incident highlights the importance of safety protocols in place at airports and the effectiveness of pilots in responding to unexpected situations. The investigation into this incident will provide valuable insights into the contributing factors and recommended improvements to prevent similar incidents in the future.
FAQs
* Q: What happened during the incident?
A: A Southwest Airlines plane, flight 2504, was landing at Midway International Airport when another aircraft, a Flexjet business jet, entered the runway without authorization, prompting the pilot to perform a “go-around” to avoid a collision.
* Q: Were there any injuries reported?
A: No, there were no reported injuries.
* Q: Who is investigating the incident?
A: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident.
* Q: What is a “go-around” in aviation terminology?
A: A “go-around” is a procedure where an aircraft lifts off from the runway just before landing to avoid a potential collision with another aircraft or obstacle on the runway.
