Southwest 737 and Learjet in Close Call at Midway

Bethany Whitfield

Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 10:35 PM ET

Verified

A Southwest 737 at Chicago Midway

Key Takeaways:

NTSB is investigating a near collision at Chicago Midway involving a Southwest Boeing 737 and a Learjet 45.
The incident occurred when the Southwest jet, instructed to taxi across Runway 31 Right, encountered a Learjet departing on the same runway.
Air traffic control failed to intervene or cancel either aircraft's clearance, despite the conflicting movements.
The two aircraft reportedly had a minimum separation of 62 feet vertically and 287 feet horizontally.

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NTSB investigators are looking into a near collision between a Southwest Boeing 737 and a Learjet 45 that took place at Chicago Midway International Airport last month.

According to investigators, the Dec. 1 incident occurred when the 737 landed on Runway 31 Center and began to taxi across Runway 31 Right, as instructed by air traffic control. Just as the Southwest jet crossed the 31R hold short line, the first officer spotted the approaching Learjet departing on 31R and called for the captain to stop the aircraft.