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IT ALMOST HAPPENED AGAIN: Watch two planes nearly collide in Chicago 🤦‍♂️
Not The Bee ^ | February 25, 2025 | Staff

Posted on 02/25/2025 9:56:05 AM PST by Red Badger

Scary.....................

VIDEO AT LINK.....................

(Excerpt) Read more at notthebee.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Military/Veterans; Outdoors; Travel
KEYWORDS: aviation; chicago; dei; nearlycollide; planes
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To: volare737

Yes, I heard it. On a 30-minute segment of ATC recording in real time. Several minutes before the go-around. The Challenger read the cross-and-hold-short directions wrong, in a completely confused way the first time. Then the controller said (paraphrasing) ‘no, that’s incorrect. cross runway xx and hold short of runway 31C’. So then the Challenger read it back quickly but correctly, though it did sound as though he didn’t have SA at that point, and would have to look up what he just read back. Just my feeling — so yes, they may have been somewhat lost at that point.


61 posted on 02/25/2025 4:13:32 PM PST by zipper (In their heart of hearts, all Democrats are communists)
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To: volare737

Who knows. Could be one of them did, and the other didn’t and that contributed to the incursion. Or was looking at his chart while moving.

One thing for sure, the ATC controller is not responsible for what the Challenger did.

Furthermore, the ATC controller was keying the mike just an instant before SW went around. I think the ATC controller was in the process of sending SW around.

I think they need to install RWSL (Runway Status Lights) at Midway. I can’t think of a better airport safety enhancement to address issues like these. O’Hare has it on all their runways - and though they have more than 3 times the traffic of Midway, for its size Midway is extremely busy.


The RWSL (Runway Status Lights) system at airports is a safety feature designed to enhance the situational awareness of pilots and ground controllers by providing visual warnings of potential runway hazards. The system uses a set of colored lights along runways to indicate whether it is safe for an aircraft to enter, take off, or cross the runway. Here’s how it operates:

1. Components:
Runway Status Lights (RWSL): These are typically red and amber lights located on the runway and taxiway system.
Sensor Systems: The RWSL system is equipped with sensors that detect the presence of aircraft or vehicles on the runway.
Control Interface: It integrates with the airport’s air traffic control (ATC) systems to provide live data and alerts.
2. How It Works:
Runway Occupancy: If a runway is occupied by an aircraft or vehicle, the system will trigger red lights. These red lights are typically placed at runway hold points (where aircraft line up before takeoff) or at taxiway intersections. The red lights signal that it is not safe for another aircraft to enter the runway.
Clearance for Takeoff or Landing: When the runway is clear, the lights will either go out, or the system will indicate the runway is safe for use. This might be indicated by green or amber lights depending on the specific airport configuration.
Crossing or Entry: When a plane is attempting to cross a runway or enter, RWSL will indicate whether it is safe to proceed. If the system detects an aircraft or vehicle in the path, the lights will remain red, warning the pilot not to proceed.
3. Specific Light Signaling:
Red Lights: Indicate that the runway is not clear, and it is unsafe to enter, cross, or take off. This could be because there is an aircraft on the runway, or another hazard is present.
Amber (Yellow) Lights: These lights might indicate caution, such as when an aircraft is entering or crossing, but not yet fully on the runway, providing pilots and controllers a visual indication to be ready to stop or adjust procedures.
Green Lights (Optional): In some RWSL systems, green lights might be used to indicate that a runway or taxiway is completely clear and that it is safe to proceed.
4. Benefits:
Reduced Runway Incursions: By clearly indicating when a runway is occupied or unsafe, RWSL helps reduce the risk of runway incursions, which can lead to accidents.
Enhanced Pilot Awareness: Pilots receive real-time visual cues that help them make decisions related to runway use, such as whether to hold or proceed.
Increased Safety: The system provides an additional layer of safety in busy airport environments, especially in low-visibility conditions (e.g., fog, rain) when communication and visibility might be compromised.
5. Operational Phases:
During Takeoff/Taxiing: When an aircraft taxis towards the runway, the lights will guide pilots. If an aircraft is already on the runway, the red lights will prevent further entry or crossing until the runway is cleared.
During Landing: When landing, the system helps to confirm that the runway is clear for use, and it ensures that no other aircraft is crossing or entering the runway.
6. Integration with ATC:
The RWSL system often integrates with the airport’s ATC systems to ensure that controllers are aware of the real-time situation on the runways. This integration ensures coordination between automated and manual safety systems.
In summary, RWSL systems at airports are designed to reduce human error and enhance safety by providing clear visual signals to pilots and ground crews about runway status, ultimately preventing runway incursions and collisions.


62 posted on 02/25/2025 4:22:22 PM PST by zipper (In their heart of hearts, all Democrats are communists)
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To: zipper

I agree, and Midway is a very easy place to get lost if you are not familiar with the field—lots of real close runways and crossing runways.


63 posted on 02/25/2025 4:23:11 PM PST by volare737 (Diversity is something to be overcome, not celebrated.)
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To: pfflier

Good. I’ll take a look later. Juan is the best of the YouTube aviation analysts.


64 posted on 02/25/2025 4:24:36 PM PST by zipper (In their heart of hearts, all Democrats are communists)
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To: zipper

airport diagram Midway airport

https://skyvector.com/files/tpp/2502/pdf/00081AD.PDF


65 posted on 02/25/2025 6:35:52 PM PST by zipper (In their heart of hearts, all Democrats are communists)
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To: Boundless
The Aviation Herald is reporting that ATC was just about to tell them.

Actually the tower, the jet had been cleared to land and at that time the Tower was in control but the tower is part of ATC. Just a minor point but technically you are correct. Have a great day.

66 posted on 02/25/2025 8:16:24 PM PST by cpdiii (cane cutter, deckhand, oilfield roughneck, drilling fluid tech, geologist, pilot, pharmacist ,MAGA)
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To: Boundless

“Apparently the ATC audio is available (I’ve not heard it), and a reader comment at the Herald suggests that mastery of basic aviation English might have been an issue.

Makes me wonder if the tail number of the biz jet begins with N…”

Perhaps or perhaps not. To fly anywhere in any nation pilots must be able to communicate in English as this is the standard in aviation. I think it is a bad idea for anything else but this. Pilots, ground control, ATC must be able to communicate in a common language. We won WWII and thus it is English instead of German. The phrase “ hold short of runway followed by designation of the runway” is understood by all pilots as is “cleared to cross runway” and then designation of the runway. Either ground control screwed up massively or the aircrew on the Biz Jet. A competent crew would never cross an active runway without clear and precise permission. If a transmission was stepped on (more than one plane or the tower transmitting at the same time and commuications are not clear, the procedure is simple. You stop as you have no authorization to continue and simple transmit “say again.”

Somebody screwed up either the tower or the pilots.


67 posted on 02/25/2025 8:57:32 PM PST by cpdiii (cane cutter, deckhand, oilfield roughneck, drilling fluid tech, geologist, pilot, pharmacist ,MAGA)
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To: absalom01

HUA!..........LOLOLOLOL!...........


68 posted on 02/26/2025 5:11:54 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: PhiloBedo

FUNNY!


69 posted on 02/26/2025 5:13:38 AM PST by Dr. Ursus
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To: PAR35

They’ve given him a number...

And taken ‘way his plane.................


70 posted on 02/26/2025 5:20:46 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: cpdiii

After listening to the tapes, it is obvious the Flexjet pilots were at fault here.


71 posted on 02/26/2025 5:58:03 AM PST by volare737 (Diversity is something to be overcome, not celebrated.)
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To: cpdiii

The Flexjet 560 (flight LXJ560) did indeed have a US N… number. Based on the recordings I’ve now heard, the communicating crew member did appear to be a fluent English speaker.

LXJ560 crossed the active (31C) against the hold-short clearance that they had read back correctly. Reportedly, an urgent call to stop them got stepped on by some other keyed mic (echos of the DCA mid-air).

It looks to me like SWA, ATC, and MDW Ground executed correctly, and LXJ560 did not. Juan Brown (blancolirio) has a concise report on it.

This should get wrapped up quickly by FAA. NTSB might want to lobby for a new generation of comms that is less susceptible to crucial messages being stepped on when seconds matter.


72 posted on 02/26/2025 11:41:07 AM PST by Boundless (You don't need to wait for MAHA.)
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