On February 25, 2025, two separate incidents at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to initiate investigations into near-miss events involving commercial aircraft.
Incident at Reagan National Airport
At approximately 8:20 a.m. EST, American Airlines Flight 2246, en route from Boston to Washington, D.C., was instructed by air traffic control to perform a go-around maneuver during its final approach to Reagan National Airport. This directive was issued to prevent a potential collision with another aircraft that was departing from the same runway. The American Airlines flight subsequently landed safely on its second approach. The FAA has emphasized that go-around procedures are standard safety measures employed to maintain necessary separation between aircraft during landing sequences.
Incident at Midway Airport
Later that morning, at around 8:50 a.m. CST, Southwest Airlines Flight 2504, arriving from Omaha, Nebraska, encountered a critical situation at Chicago’s Midway Airport. As the Boeing 737-800 was on its final descent, a private Bombardier Challenger 350 jet, operated by Flexjet, reportedly entered the runway without proper authorization. In response, the Southwest flight crew executed an immediate go-around maneuver, ascending to avoid a potential collision. The aircraft circled the airport and landed safely on a subsequent attempt. Preliminary reports suggest that the private jet may have misunderstood or failed to comply with air traffic control instructions, leading to the runway incursion. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting thorough investigations into the incident.
Passenger Reactions and Safety Implications
Passengers aboard the affected flights expressed a range of emotions following the incidents. Some were unaware of the potential danger until after landing, while others commended the flight crews for their professionalism and prompt response. These events have reignited discussions about aviation safety protocols, particularly concerning runway incursions and the critical role of clear communication between pilots and air traffic controllers. The FAA has reiterated its commitment to enforcing stringent safety measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Sources:
- American Airlines flight discontinues landing to avoid departing plane at Washington National
- Southwest jet narrowly avoids colliding with business jet at Chicago airport
- Southwest flight aborts landing to avoid potential crash with jet at Midway: VIDEO
