Near Misses at Reagan National and Chicago Midway Airports Raise Aviation Safety Concerns
Washington, D.C. – Two separate incidents involving aborted landings at major U.S. airports on Tuesday morning have amplified existing anxieties regarding aviation safety, following a series of unsettling air travel occurrences in recent weeks. The incidents, which occurred at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C., and Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) in Chicago, Illinois, involved commercial airliners executing go-around maneuvers to avert potential collisions with other aircraft on the runway.
At DCA, an American Airlines jetliner was on its final approach at approximately 8:20 a.m. Eastern Time when the pilot observed another aircraft preparing to take off from the same runway. Recognizing the imminent risk of a collision, the pilot initiated a go-around, a standard safety procedure in which the aircraft ascends back into the air to re-establish a safe separation.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident in a statement to Fox News Digital, stating that the go-around was performed to "ensure separation was maintained between this aircraft and a preceding departure from the same runway." American Airlines, in its own statement, emphasized that the flight landed safely and normally at DCA after being instructed by Air Traffic Control to execute the go-around to allow another aircraft more time for takeoff.
American Airlines further clarified that a go-around is a routine flight maneuver and is not indicative of a serious safety breach. The airline highlighted its "no-fault go-around policy," noting that such maneuvers occur frequently within the National Airspace System. American Airlines underscored that the go-around is a valuable tool for both pilots and air traffic controllers to maintain safe and efficient flight operations.
Simultaneously, at Chicago Midway Airport, a Southwest Airlines flight was forced to abort its landing under similar circumstances. Southwest Flight 2504, en route from Omaha, Nebraska, was nearing touchdown at approximately 9:50 a.m. Eastern Time when the pilot suddenly aborted the landing to avoid a smaller business jet that had entered its path on the runway.
The FAA issued a preliminary statement indicating that the business jet, identified as a Flexjet aircraft, entered the runway without proper authorization. The FAA, along with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), has launched an investigation into the incident to determine the precise sequence of events and contributing factors.
A spokesperson for Southwest Airlines affirmed that the flight crew adhered to established safety procedures and that the flight subsequently landed without any further incidents.
The two near-miss incidents on Tuesday morning have heightened concerns about the overall state of aviation safety, especially in light of several recent air travel incidents.
Earlier on Tuesday, a United Airlines flight carrying nearly 200 passengers was compelled to make an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey due to a suspected mechanical issue that arose mid-flight. The airline confirmed the emergency landing and stated that the aircraft landed safely.
On the previous day, a Delta Air Lines flight was forced to return to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after a haze filled the cabin, causing alarm among passengers. Upon landing, passengers evacuated the aircraft safely, and no injuries were reported. The cause of the haze is currently under investigation.
These recent incidents follow a series of more serious aviation accidents and near-accidents, adding to the growing unease among travelers.
In a separate incident on January 26, an American Airlines plane collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, resulting in a catastrophic loss of life. All 67 people aboard the two aircraft perished in the crash, making it the deadliest aviation incident in the United States since 2009.
Less than 48 hours later, a medical ambulance flight carrying a child patient, her mother, and four others crashed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, resulting in the deaths of all seven people on board and injuring 19 others on the ground.
On February 6, a commuter plane crashed in Alaska, claiming the lives of all 10 people on board. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
On February 17, a Delta Air Lines flight experienced a harrowing incident while landing at Toronto Pearson Airport in Canada. The aircraft burst into flames and flipped upside down upon landing. Miraculously, all passengers and crew members survived the ordeal, although 21 people sustained injuries.
The confluence of these recent aviation incidents, including the near-misses at Reagan National and Chicago Midway airports, has triggered a renewed focus on aviation safety protocols and procedures. The FAA and NTSB are actively investigating these incidents to determine their root causes and to identify any potential systemic issues that may need to be addressed to prevent future occurrences.
Industry experts and aviation safety advocates are calling for a comprehensive review of air traffic control procedures, runway safety measures, and pilot training programs to ensure the highest levels of safety for air travelers. The focus is not only on preventing accidents but also on identifying and mitigating potential risks before they escalate into more serious incidents. As investigations into these recent events unfold, the aviation industry and regulatory agencies will be under increasing scrutiny to address public concerns and reaffirm their commitment to maintaining the safety and security of air travel.
