Runway Incursion at Chicago Midway Caught on Camera

On a busy day at Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), a business jet’s taxi mistake nearly led to disaster. A Flexjet 560 aircraft crossed an active runway without clearance—right into the path of a landing aircraft. Fortunately, the landing crew saw what was happening, aborted their landing, and went around, avoiding a potential catastrophe.

This incident, caught on camera and now widely discussed in aviation safety circles, is a perfect case study on how runway incursions happen—and how they can be prevented. Let’s break down what went wrong and the critical lessons every pilot should learn.

The Setup: Complex Taxi at a Busy Airport

Chicago Midway is a famously challenging airport, with multiple intersecting runways, tight taxiways, and complex taxi instructions—a setup ripe for confusion. Flexjet 560, a private jet, was departing from Signature Aviation, the west-side FBO, and had received taxi clearance for Runway 22 Left.

The First Problem: Poor Communication

During initial taxi clearance, the pilot did not correctly read back the hold short instructions, which should have been an immediate red flag for the ground controller. Proper readbacks are essential to ensuring both the pilot and controller are aligned on expectations. In this case, the pilot incorrectly referenced a taxiway (Whiskey) that wasn’t even part of the clearance.

The Second Problem: Late Clarification

A full 2.5 minutes passed before the pilot asked for clarification on the taxi instructions—by which time the controller assumed the aircraft was already on the move. This caused unnecessary confusion, adding to the breakdown in situational awareness on both sides.

Crossing the Wrong Runway

After eventually getting clarification, Flexjet 560 was instructed to:

Turn left on Runway 4 Left, cross Runway 31 Left, hold short of Runway 31 Center.

That sequence is critical. Runway 31 Center was active, meaning aircraft were landing there—and Flexjet 560 absolutely could not cross it without explicit clearance.

However, the pilot’s readback was wrong. Instead of saying 31 Left and 31 Center, they referenced Runway 22 and Runway 13—completely different runways. This should have triggered immediate concern from the controller, but it didn’t get fully caught until it was too late.

Why Did the Crew Cross an Active Runway?

1. Lack of Familiarity with Midway

This crew was likely unfamiliar with the airport’s complex layout. Midway’s short distances between runways, multiple hot spots, and frequent crossing instructions create a perfect storm for confusion, especially for visiting crews.

2. Misidentification of Runways

When the aircraft turned onto Runway 4 Left, it’s possible that the pilots mistook Runway 31 Left for 31 Center—a common human factors error called runway misidentification. It’s also possible that they saw Taxiway H (which used to be Runway 31R) and they assumed that was runway 31 Center, and when they crossed 31 Center, they thought they were crossing 31 Left. Either way, by the time they realized where they were, they were already rolling across an active runway.

3. Lack of Active Scanning

When crossing a runway, both pilots should be looking left and right, visually confirming the runway is clear—regardless of ATC clearance. If the crew had done this, they might have spotted the inbound aircraft and stopped before crossing.

The Save: A Quick-Thinking Go-Around

The only reason this didn’t end in disaster was thanks to the Southwest pilot’s situational awareness. They saw Flexjet 560 rolling onto the runway and immediately executed a safe go-around. This decisive action avoided what could have been a catastrophic collision.

If this happened at night or in low visibility weather conditions, it could have turned out much worse!

Lessons Learned

1. Get Taxi Instructions Right—Every Time

If you’re unsure where to go, stop and ask. There’s no shame in admitting confusion—especially at airports like Midway where complex taxi routes are common.

2. Don’t Rush Your Readbacks

A rushed or sloppy readback can plant the seed for a runway incursion. Take your time, write it down if needed, and verify every hold short instruction.

3. Brief the Hot Spots

Before taxiing at any airport, brief the diagram and identify known hot spots. Midway has at least four designated hot spots, most related to confusing runway crossings. Know them before you move.

4. Eyes Out at Every Runway

Even with a clearance to cross, always look both ways before entering a runway. ATC can make mistakes, and so can pilots. A quick glance could save your life.

5. CRM and Crew Coordination

The pilot flying and the pilot monitoring should both be actively involved during taxi. One handles the radios and follows the airport diagram, while the other physically drives the plane. Constant cross-checking is critical.

Final Thoughts

This near-miss at Midway is a textbook case of how human factors, unclear communication, and complex airport layouts can combine into a serious safety threat. It’s also a reminder that safety isn’t just about flying—it’s about the small moments on the ground, where simple mistakes can have devastating consequences.

Whether you’re a professional jet crew or a weekend GA pilot, the lesson is the same: when in doubt, stop and ask. It’s far better to delay a minute than to risk a collision.