Airliner Narrowly Avoids Crashing Into A Business Jet

Southwest Airlines Jet Narrowly Avoids Collision at Chicago Midway Airport

A Southwest Airlines jet was forced to make a dramatic last-minute maneuver Tuesday morning to avoid colliding with a private jet that had entered the runway without authorization at Chicago Midway International Airport.

The incident, which occurred around 9 a.m. on February 25, was caught on video and shows the Southwest jet just feet from landing when the private aircraft, operated by FlexJet, crossed its path. The Southwest pilots quickly initiated a “go-around,” aborting the landing and circling the airport before safely touching down about 10 minutes later.

This close call is part of a troubling pattern of aviation safety incidents in recent months. Just weeks ago, a deadly mid-air collision involving an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army helicopter in Washington, D.C., claimed 67 lives. Other recent incidents include a Delta Air Lines flight crash-landing in Toronto and multiple near-misses at airports across the U.S.

With growing concerns over runway safety, aviation authorities are under increasing pressure to prevent near-disasters like the one in Chicago from becoming deadly tragedies.