An airplane and a jet almost crashed into each other, allegedly because one of the pilots failed to follow air traffic control instructions several times. Audio of the shocking incident reveals how narrowly the two planes avoided a collision.
On February 25, 2025, two planes nearly collided at Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) while both attempted to land. Fortunately, the quick thinking of one of the pilots prevented the accident.
According to footage from the airport’s webcam, at around 8:20 a.m., Southwest Airlines Flight 2504 approached the tarmac just as a small Flexjet Challenger 350 taxied onto the same runway. The Flexjet was then forced to execute a go-around to avoid colliding with the larger Boeing 737-800.
Flight data revealed that the two planes were approximately 2,050 feet apart vertically when the Southwest 737 flew over the private jet at an uncorrected pressure altitude of 900 feet. Since then, air traffic control (ATC) audio has been released.
In the audio, the Southwest pilot can be heard asking the tower, “How’d that happen?” after the near-collision. Flightradar24 shared the ATC audio, which it obtained from LiveATC.net, revealing what went wrong that day.
The MDW ground controller (GRD) initially instructed, “Flexjet 560, turn left on Runway 4 left, cross Runway 31 left, and hold short of Runway 31 center.” However, the pilot incorrectly responded, “All right, left on 2… on 4 left, cross the 2-2, 13 center. Flexjet 560.”
GRD then corrected the pilot, stating, “Flexjet 560, negative,” before repeating the correct instructions. There was silence and some static as the Flexjet continued toward the airplane’s path.
At that point, the Southwest pilot intervened, saying, “Southwest 2504 going around.” The MDW control tower (TWR) then instructed, “Southwest 2504, Roger, climb, maintain 3000.” Hearing this, GRD urged the Flexjet to “Hold your position,” which the pilot did not follow.
The Southwest pilot responded, “Southwest 2504, up to 3000,” as the aircraft ascended. The controller then directed the Flexjet pilot to move further up the runway and come to a stop. The pilot replied, “Cross the hold short, hold short Hotel, Flexjet 560.”
GRD reiterated that the Flexjet’s instructions were to “hold short of Runway 31 center.” TWR then told the Southwest pilot, “Southwest 2504, when able, turn left heading 220,” which the pilot confirmed.
After a brief silence, GRD said, “Flexjet 560, hold right there, sir, don’t move,” and the pilot confirmed receiving the instruction. Shortly after, the Southwest pilot was heard calmly asking, “Tower, Southwest 2504, how’d that happen?” reflecting on the close call.
According to data from flightradar24.com, the Flexjet Bombardier Challenger was headed for Knoxville, Tennessee. The quick thinking and actions of the Southwest pilot ensured that a potentially fatal collision was avoided.
