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.
A stationary Southwest Airlines plane on the tarmac at the Miami International Airport on February 19, 2025, in Miami, Florida | Source: Getty Images
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 pulled in front of it. The Flexjet was then forced to ascend quickly 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. Southwest Airlines has since released an emailed statement about the incident.
A Flexjet plane arrives at Marseille Provence Airport on September 13, 2024, in France | Source: Getty Images
In the statement, the airline explained that the plane landed safely after the crew successfully performed a precautionary maneuver “to avoid a possible conflict with another aircraft that entered the runway.” It further emphasized, “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees.”
According to FlightAware data, the flight departed from Omaha, Nebraska, at approximately 7:20 a.m. Shortly after the go-around, ATC cleared the plane to return to the airport, and it still maintained an on-time status.
A spokesperson for Flexjet also issued an emailed statement, saying, “We are aware of the occurrence today in Chicago. 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.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board are jointly investigating the incident. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy took to X, stating that he would provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy at a press conference at Union Station in Los Angeles, on February 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
However, he noted, “It is imperative that pilots follow the instructions of air traffic controllers. If they do not, their licenses will be pulled.”
Runway incursions are rare, but according to the FAA, these incidents have been on the rise in recent years.
In 2021, 1,574 runway incursions occurred in the US. Since then, the number has increased to an average of 1,749 per year.
The runway incursion came amidst Southwest Airlines’s announcement that, after taking flight in 1971, it plans to lay off more than 10 percent of its corporate staff to streamline operations. The company’s CEO revealed that part of the reason for this change was to streamline operations.
On February 17, 2025, Southwest Airlines President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bob Jordan delivered a shocking message to employees. His statement about the layoffs was headlined “Transforming The Way We Work.”
Bob announced on the airline’s website that Southwest Airlines is launching its largest transformation in 53 years. Through a three-year business plan, the company will focus on three key goals: increasing revenue and customer loyalty, maximizing efficiency while cutting costs, and optimizing investments.
One major focus for the airline, which began operations in 1971, is improving efficiency by streamlining operations, eliminating redundancies, and fostering a lean, fast-moving organization. As part of this effort, the company has made the difficult decision to reduce its workforce, primarily affecting corporate and leadership roles.
Approximately 1,750 positions, representing 15 percent of corporate staff, will be impacted. Although separations will begin in late April, displaced employees will continue receiving their salary, benefits, and bonuses, if eligible, until then.
The decision came after careful reflection, with leadership acknowledging the contributions of those affected. They stated that while corporate growth has surpassed operational needs, a leaner, more efficient structure is essential to better support frontline employees and uphold the company’s commitment to safe, reliable service for customers.
The airline emphasized the difficulty of this transition and pledged to treat impacted employees with care and respect. Affected employees will receive severance packages and access to resources to support their transition.
Support services will include sessions with Human Resource Business Partners, assistance from a dedicated Offboarding Support Team, and outplacement services to aid their career transition.
While Southwest is grappling with layoffs, American Airlines also faced a tragic start to the year. A collision occurred between one of its planes and a military helicopter near Reagan National Airport on January 29, 2025. Among those killed was American Airlines pilot Sam Lilley.
Timothy Lilley, Sam’s father and a former military helicopter pilot with two decades of service, is heartbroken over his 28-year-old son’s death. He was in New York for work when news of the Washington, D.C., crash broke.
At first, he dismissed the possibility that Sam was among the victims. However, as time passed without hearing from his son, who always checked in without fail, his worry turned into a devastating realization.
After learning that his son was on the flight and did not survive, Timothy lamented, “This is undoubtedly the worst day of my life.” Taking to Facebook for a heartfelt tribute, he mourned, “Sam was the First Officer on the flight that crashed in DC last night. It is so devastating to lose someone that is loved so much.”
The father and son shared a deep love for aviation. Sam started his flight training in 2019 and spent two years as a pilot for PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines. Before finding his true calling, he earned a marketing degree from Georgia Southern University in 2018.
According to Timothy, Sam initially pursued a career in marketing but soon realized that flying was his true passion, a dream he worked tirelessly to achieve. Beyond his career, Sam planned to marry his fiancée in the fall.
Sam Lilley, from a post dated December 10, 2018 | Source: Facebook/tim.lilley.33
As Timothy mourns his loss, he finds solace in his son’s accomplishments, reflecting, “I was so proud when Sam became a pilot. Now it hurts so bad I can’t even cry myself to sleep. I know I’ll see him again but my heart is breaking.”
Through tears, he described his son as a happy and kind person who lived life to the fullest. He emphasized that Sam always helped others and acted on his Christian faith through acts of kindness.
Timothy, Sam, and Sheri Lilley, from a post dated December 10, 2018 | Source: Facebook/tim.lilley.3
Sam was piloting the PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet from Wichita, Kansas when it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while approaching Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport. Both the helicopter and plane crashed into the Potomac River.
