Near Miss between Southwest Flight and Jet at Midway Airport
A shocking video from Chicago’s Midway Airport is making headlines, showing a near miss between a Southwest Airlines flight and an "unauthorized" FlexJet business jet on a runway. The incident highlights the importance of safety procedures and the potential risks involved in air travel.
The Incident
The video, posted to the X account Airport Webcams, shows a Southwest Airlines flight preparing to land on a Midway Airport runway. Just before touching down, the plane can be seen lifting back up into the air as a jet crosses the runway. This forced the Southwest Airlines flight to abort its landing and go around again to avoid the potential conflict.
Southwest Airlines Statement
A statement from Southwest Airlines confirmed the incident, stating that Flight 2504 landed safely at Midway Airport after the crew performed a precautionary go-around to avoid a possible conflict with another aircraft that entered the runway. The airline emphasized that the safety of its customers and employees is its top priority.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Investigation
The FAA reported that the incident occurred when a business jet entered the runway without authorization. The agency is investigating the incident to determine the cause and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Audio Footage
Audio captured from live air traffic control communications, or LiveATC, revealed that Southwest Airlines Flight 2504 was cleared to land on Runway 31C, while the FlexJet 560 was taxiing for departure and communicating with ground control on a different frequency. The jet was instructed to cross Runway 31L, but stopped short of Runway 31C to allow the Southwest flight to land. However, some confusion arose, and the controlling tower repeated the instruction. Southwest Airlines then initiated a go-around, and later asked, "How’d that happen?"
FlexJet Statement
A spokesperson for FlexJet stated that the company was aware of the incident and was working to gather more information on the situation.
Recent Aviation Incidents
This incident comes at a time when the aviation industry is reeling from several recent accidents. In January, a commercial American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter collided near the nation’s capital, killing 67 people. Just days later, a medical transportation plane crashed in Philadelphia, killing six people onboard and one on the ground. In early February, a commuter flight crashed on Alaska sea ice, killing 10 people. Finally, a Delta plane crash-landed in Toronto, with footage showing the plane upside down, leaving at least 18 people injured.
Expert Analysis
Hani Mahmassani, a transportation and engineering professor at Northwestern University, expressed concerns over flying following a series of aviation disasters across the country. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe and efficient air traffic control system.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Employee Terminations
The FAA has faced criticism over the recent firing of several hundred employees, including those performing critical safety functions. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association is analyzing the impact of these terminations on aviation safety, the national airspace system, and its members.
Conclusion
The near miss between the Southwest Airlines flight and the FlexJet business jet at Midway Airport highlights the importance of safety procedures and the potential risks involved in air travel. As the aviation industry continues to face challenges, it is crucial that airlines, regulatory bodies, and industry professionals work together to ensure the safety of passengers and crew members.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened in the near miss incident at Midway Airport?
A: A Southwest Airlines flight was preparing to land on a Midway Airport runway when an "unauthorized" FlexJet business jet crossed the runway, forcing the Southwest flight to abort its landing.
Q: Who is investigating the incident?
A: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident to determine the cause and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Q: What is the status of the investigation?
A: The investigation is ongoing, and the FAA will issue a report on its findings.
Q: Are there any safety concerns surrounding the incident?
A: Yes, the incident highlights the importance of safety procedures and the potential risks involved in air travel.
