Shocking footage captures the intense moment a Southwest plane comes dangerously close to a collision while attempting to land at Chicago Midway.
Southwest flight forced to go-around to avoid private jet
Footage reveals the moment a Southwest Airlines plane nearly collided with a private jet on the runway at Chicago Midway Airport.
The incident occurred earlier today (February 25) at approximately 8:50 a.m. local time. Southwest Flight 2504 was arriving from Omaha, Nebraska.
At the same time, a Bombardier Challenger 350 private jet was taking off for Knoxville, Tennessee, according to FlightRadar24.
Air traffic control audio reveals tense moments
Audio from LiveATC.net captured air traffic control issuing instructions to the private jet. However, the aircraft ended up in the path of the incoming Southwest flight.
To avoid a collision, the Southwest crew was forced to perform a go-around. The flight later landed safely at the airport, CNN reports.
A Southwest spokesperson confirmed the crew followed safety protocols. “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees,” they stated.
FAA launches investigation into recent aviation incidents
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into this incident.
The FAA is also reviewing several other aviation incidents that have occurred in recent weeks.
On February 17, Delta Air Lines Flight 4819 crashed and flipped upside down at Toronto Pearson Airport.
Fortunately, all 80 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated.
In January, an American Airlines plane collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport. No injuries were reported in that incident.
Aviation expert addresses concerns over recent crashes
Aviation expert Jason Matzus, an attorney at Matzus Law, addressed concerns about the apparent rise in aviation accidents. Speaking to the US Sun, he explained the phenomenon of “random clustering.”
“While these events are tragic, they are often coincidental rather than indicative of a systemic safety issue,” he said. “Media coverage can amplify our perception of an increasing trend.”
Statistically, air travel remains the safest mode of transportation. Matzus emphasized that the recent spate of incidents does not necessarily reflect a true rise in aviation accidents.
Despite these alarming incidents, aviation remains one of the safest ways to travel. Investigations are ongoing to determine the causes of these recent events. Airlines and regulatory agencies continue working to enhance safety measures and prevent future occurrences.