NTSB investigates biz-jet and Southwest 737 runway incident
February 25, 2025
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating a runway incursion that occurred on Tuesday at Chicago Midway International Airport.
The incident involved a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800, which was forced to abort its landing and initiate a go-around after a business jet entered the runway.
Video and ATC recordings show the Southwest aircraft was on approach to runway 31C when the Flexjet business jet – a Challenger 350 – crossed onto the active runway.
The Southwest pilots opted to go around. The 737-800 safely climbed away and later landed without incident.
The NTSB said it was working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Southwest Airlines, and other stakeholders to determine the cause of the incursion.
Investigators will review air traffic control communications, flight data, and cockpit voice recordings to understand how the business jet ended up on the runway.
Runway incursions remain a major safety concern in aviation, and the incident will put North American air safety further under the spotlight after a string of incidents in recent weeks.
