CHICAGO – The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report on the near-miss at Midway Airport on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

A Southwest Airlines plane that originated from Omaha aborted a landing when the crew saw a private jet, a Bombardier Challenger 350 operated by Flexjet, crossing Runway 31-C. The Southwest plane landed safely after performing the go-around just before 9 a.m.

According to the report, the private jet’s pilots got confused by taxi direction they were given from ground control and did not acknowledge instructions to hold short of the runway.

Investigators said the pilots told them the sun made it difficult to seeing any hold short lines, pavement markings or signs for the intersection.

Officials said the pilots also claimed the runway was a similar width to taxiways and that they did not recognize it as a runway.

Shortly after the incident, Joe Sweeter – a transportation professor at DePaul University – said an investigation into what happened and modernization at the federal level is needed, as well as additional reassurances for passengers who seek to fly. 

“I think the FAA does sort of need a mandate of modernization. They’ve been doing some great work to move that. But everybody wants that’s sped up. Unfortunately, what’s going to happen now is an element of chaos and distrust with things coming out of the executive branch,” Sweeter said. “Everybody is talking about this. It’s now a household item. We’re seeing it on the news week after week, and that doesn’t help the airlines. That person on the fence, so to speak, may hold back on flying. Airlines are a little nervous about busy, domestic travel right now. So, let’s hope things settle down a bit.”

The FAA also issued the following statement on the incident.

“The crew of Southwest Airlines Flight 2504 initiated a go-around when a business jet entered the runway without authorization at Chicago Midway Airport. The FAA is investigating the incident, which occurred around 8:50 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Feb. 25.”

A statement from Southwest Airlines read:

“Southwest Airlines Flight 2504 landed safely at Chicago Midway Airport on Tuesday morning after the Crew performed a precautionary go-around to avoid a possible conflict with another aircraft that entered the runway. The Crew followed safety procedures, and the flight landed without incident. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees.”

WGN News also reached out to Flexjet, the company behind operation of the private aircraft, for comment regarding the incident:

“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 investigation continues.