FAA Launches Probe After Near Mishap at Chicago Midway

a Boeing 737 was forced into a go-around to avoid a business jet that entered the runway without permission at Chicago Midway International Airport (KMDW) on Tuesday morning. [Chicago Midway Airport StreamTime Live/Screenshot]

The FAA has launched an investigation after a Boeing 737 was forced into a go-around to avoid a business jet that entered the runway without permission at Chicago Midway International Airport (KMDW) on Tuesday morning.

Video of the event, which took place just before 9 a.m. CST in VFR conditions, showed Southwest Airlines Flight 2504 aborting the landing as a Flexjet Bombardier Challenger entered from the left, crossing ahead of the bigger airliner.

"We are aware of the occurrence today in Chicago," a Flexjet spokesperson told FLYING. "Flexjet adheres to the highest safety standards, and we are conducting a thorough investigation. Any action to rectify and ensure the highest safety standards will be taken."

According to a Southwest Airlines spokesperson, the crew of Flight 2504 "performed a precautionary go-around to avoid a possible conflict with another aircraft that entered the runway. The crew followed safety procedures and the flight landed without incident."

The video of the event shot from behind the Southwest flight appears to show the aircraft's wheel just inches from the pavement when the go-around is initiated. The airliner flew over the smaller jet.

According to CBS News, the airliner cleared the business jet by approximately 250 feet.

boeing 737 Bombardier Challenger Chicago FAA Flexjet

Meg GodlewskiAuthor

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.