NTSB Preliminary Report Highlights Causes of Chicago Midway Near-Collision

Sun glare, runway marking confusion, and failure to follow air traffic control instructions contributed to the February 25 close call involving a Flexjet and Southwest Airlines plane.

• A Flexjet plane crossed an active runway at Chicago Midway International Airport as a Southwest Airlines flight was landing, prompting a go-around maneuver by the Southwest crew to avoid collision.
• The Southwest Airlines plane passed approximately 250 feet above the Flexjet aircraft, averting a potential disaster with no injuries reported.
• The NTSB's preliminary findings cite sun glare and the Flexjet crew's confusion over runway markings as key factors in the incident.
• Investigators revealed that the Flexjet crew failed to acknowledge air traffic control instructions to hold short of the runway and continued to cross.
• The NTSB and FAA are conducting ongoing investigations, with final reports expected within one to two years, while Flexjet has launched its own internal review.

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