Southwest 737 and Learjet in Close Call at Midway

Bethany Whitfield

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

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A Southwest 737 at Chicago Midway

Key Takeaways:

NTSB is investigating a near collision between a Southwest Boeing 737 and a Learjet 45 at Chicago Midway last month.
The incident occurred when the Southwest 737, instructed by ATC, taxied across an active runway (31R) where a Learjet was simultaneously taking off, also cleared by ATC.
The aircraft reportedly passed with just 62 feet of vertical separation and 287 feet of horizontal separation.
Air traffic control failed to intervene or cancel either aircraft's clearance, despite the conflicting instructions.

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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.