This week, we'll be discussing the recent Flightglobal article on a runway incursion by a Flexjet operated Bombardier private jet, which caused a Southwest 737 to go-around from short final (Hardee, 2025). To facilitate the discussion, there is a good YouTube video by VASAviation showing the sequence of events animated real-time on an overlay of the airfield diagram, and with the radio calls in the background (VASAviation, 2025), which will be linked in the resources below. Referencing time stamps of the video, we will discuss what went right and what went wrong during the incident, in chronological order to learn and apply the lessons in our own area of operations.

Timeline

1:35 The first right move to break the accident chain of events was made by the Midway Ground controller. The crew of Flexjet 560 had read back a complex taxy clearance incorrectly, and the clearance was repeated by Midway Ground. The second time around, Flexjet 560 performed a correct readback of the clearance.

1:45 Flexjet 560 crew misidentified Runway 31C, and proceeded to cross it. According to the initial NTSB report, the crew was experiencing glare from the sun and did not notice the board announcing the runway entry point. Additionally, they wrongly identified Runway 31C as a taxyway based on their assessment of its width. 

1:49 Southwest 2504, judging that Flexjet 560 was about to enter their runway initiates a radio call but correctly cuts it off to prioritize focus on executing a go-around. The closest separation between the two aircraft was approximately 200 feet. Once safely climbing away, Southwest 2504 calls the go-around.

2:01 Realizing Flexjet 560 was likely confused about their location, Midway Ground instructed them to hold position, preventing further uncontrolled taxying while giving them the opportunity to re-establish situational awareness before allowing them to proceed. The Flexjet crew were also given a phone contact to discuss the safety incident afterwards.

In summary, one moment of confusion caused a runway incursion which could have resulted in two aircraft colliding. Thankfully, both ATC and the pilots of Southwest 2504 maintained a high level of situational awareness and reacted to the contingency in a timely fashion, preventing a major accident.

-Ruichuen

References:

Hardee, H. (2025, March). Pilots failed to recognise runway before Midway incursion and Southwest 737 go-around: NTSB. Flight Global. https://www.flightglobal.com/safety/pilots-failed-to-recognise-runway-before-midway-incursion-and-southwest-737-go-around-ntsb/162263.articleLinks to an external site.
VASAviation - (Director). (2025, February 26). NEAR DISASTER | Southwest and Flexjet at Chicago Midway! [Video recording].https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6Mp9aUJaTYLinks to an external site.

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