An airplane and a private jet came dangerously close to disaster at Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) when one of the pilots allegedly failed to follow air traffic control (ATC) instructions multiple times. Audio recordings of the tense exchange reveal just how narrowly the two planes avoided a catastrophic collision.
The near-miss occurred on the morning of February 25, 2025, as both aircraft attempted to land. Thanks to the quick thinking of a Southwest Airlines pilot, a crisis was averted.
According to airport surveillance footage, at around 8:20 a.m., Southwest Airlines Flight 2504 was making its approach when a Flexjet Challenger 350 unexpectedly crossed in front of it. The private jet was forced to make a rapid ascent, narrowly avoiding a collision with the larger Boeing 737-800.
Flight data later revealed that at one point, the two aircraft were separated by just 2,050 feet vertically, with the Southwest plane flying over the Flexjet at an altitude of approximately 900 feet.
The incident immediately raised questions about what had gone wrong. ATC audio, obtained from LiveATC.net and shared by Flightradar24, shed light on the confusion.
The Midway ground controller had initially given clear instructions:
“Flexjet 560, turn left on Runway 4 left, cross Runway 31 left, and hold short of Runway 31 center.”
However, the Flexjet pilot’s response indicated a misunderstanding:
“All right, left on 2… on 4 left, cross the 2-2, 13 center. Flexjet 560.”
The controller immediately corrected the pilot:
“Flexjet 560, negative.”
Despite this, the Flexjet continued on the incorrect path.
Sensing the danger, the Southwest pilot made a split-second decision:
“Southwest 2504 going around.”
The control tower quickly responded:
“Southwest 2504, Roger, climb, maintain 3000.”
Meanwhile, the ground controller ordered the Flexjet to hold position. Yet, the pilot failed to comply immediately.
As the Southwest aircraft ascended, the controller repeated the hold instructions to the Flexjet pilot, who finally acknowledged:
“Cross the hold short, hold short Hotel, Flexjet 560.”
The tense exchange concluded with the Southwest pilot calmly asking, “Tower, Southwest 2504, how’d that happen?”—a question that many have been asking in the wake of the incident.
Official Responses and Investigations
FlightAware data confirmed that the Flexjet Challenger was en route to Knoxville, Tennessee, while the Southwest flight had originated from Omaha, Nebraska.
Southwest Airlines later issued a statement confirming that their crew had executed a precautionary maneuver “to avoid a possible conflict with another aircraft that entered the runway.” The airline emphasized that “nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees.”
Flexjet also acknowledged the incident, stating: “We are aware of the occurrence today in Chicago. Flexjet adheres to the highest safety standards and is conducting a thorough investigation.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have since launched a joint investigation.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed the incident on X, warning that “it is imperative that pilots follow the instructions of air traffic controllers. If they do not, their licenses will be pulled.”
A Troubling Trend
Although near-misses like this are rare, runway incursions have been on the rise. According to the FAA, 1,574 incidents occurred in 2021. That number has since climbed to an average of 1,749 per year, raising concerns about air traffic safety.
The alarming incident came at a challenging time for Southwest Airlines. Recently, the company announced that it would lay off over 10% of its corporate staff as part of a restructuring effort.
Southwest Airlines’ Major Workforce Reduction
On February 17, 2025, Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan delivered a surprising announcement: the airline would undergo its largest transformation in over five decades. In a message to employees titled “Transforming The Way We Work,” Jordan outlined a three-year business plan focusing on:
- Increasing revenue and customer loyalty
- Maximizing efficiency while reducing costs
- Optimizing investments
To streamline operations, Southwest decided to cut approximately 1,750 corporate jobs—around 15% of its corporate workforce. The layoffs, set to begin in late April, will primarily impact leadership and administrative roles.
Despite the difficult decision, Southwest assured employees that displaced workers would continue receiving salary, benefits, and bonuses (if eligible) during the transition period. The company also pledged severance packages and outplacement services to assist those affected.
Another Airline Tragedy Shakes the Industry
While Southwest grapples with financial restructuring, American Airlines recently suffered a devastating tragedy.
On January 29, 2025, a mid-air collision between an American Airlines plane and a military helicopter near Reagan National Airport resulted in multiple fatalities, including that of American Airlines pilot Sam Lilley.
Lilley, 28, was flying a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 from Wichita, Kansas, when his aircraft collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter during its approach to Runway 33. Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River, leaving no survivors.
Lilley’s father, Timothy, a former military pilot, was heartbroken. Initially, he dismissed the possibility that his son was involved, but as hours passed with no contact, the devastating truth set in.
“This is undoubtedly the worst day of my life,” Timothy later wrote on Facebook. “Sam was the First Officer on the flight that crashed in DC last night. It is so devastating to lose someone who was loved so much.”
Sam had found his passion for flying in 2019 after earning a marketing degree from Georgia Southern University. His dedication led him to a successful career with PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines. He had also been planning to marry his fiancée in the fall.
His grieving father described Sam as a “kind, happy person who lived life to the fullest” and a man who “acted on his Christian faith through kindness to others.”
Aviation Safety Under Scrutiny
With near-misses, tragic crashes, and corporate upheavals making headlines, the aviation industry is under increased scrutiny.
As the FAA and NTSB investigate the Chicago Midway near-miss, experts are calling for enhanced pilot training, improved air traffic control systems, and stricter enforcement of safety protocols.
One thing is certain: the stakes in aviation safety have never been higher.
