Southwest Airlines Jet Avoids Disaster After Near Collision with Private Jet at Chicago’s Midway Airport
A Southwest Airlines jet narrowly avoided a major disaster on Tuesday morning at Chicago’s Midway Airport after a Challenger 350 private jet taxied onto the runway, directly into the flight path of the arriving commercial airliner. Air traffic control audio has been released, capturing the tense moments as controllers frantically gave instructions for the Southwest jet to abort the landing and climb to a higher altitude to avoid a collision.
The Tense Moments
According to the live audio from air traffic control, the smaller private jet had been told to “hold short” of the runway but continued to move toward the main runway as the Southwest flight was approaching for landing. In response, controllers urgently repeated the order, shouting “hold short!” but the private jet did not respond in time, creating a life-threatening situation.
Heroic Action by Southwest Pilot
The Southwest Airlines flight, coming from Nebraska, was on its final approach when the pilot took immediate and heroic action. Just hundreds of yards away from the Challenger jet, the Southwest pilot executed an emergency go-around, pulling the jet back into the air just in time.
The pilot’s quick thinking potentially saved hundreds of lives, with the plane later landing safely after completing another circuit. Southwest Airlines confirmed that their crew followed all safety protocols, ensuring that the situation ended without any incident.
The Investigation and Fallout
Details about the private jet remain unclear, particularly whether the crew of the Challenger 350 saw the Southwest flight coming in and if they were aware of their position on the runway. The FAA has launched an official investigation into the event, seeking answers to these pressing questions.
Heightened Tensions in Aviation
This close call comes amid increasing concerns about aviation safety, with recent incidents such as mid-flight smoke in the cabin, plane crashes, and even a helicopter collision over Washington, D.C., further rattling public confidence. As investigations into these events continue, safety in air traffic control and airline operations remains under intense scrutiny.
