Politics
WATCH: Planes Nearly Collide On Major Airport’s Runway In Shocking Clip
A dramatic near-miss at Chicago’s Midway Airport forced a Southwest Airlines plane to abort its landing after a small jet unexpectedly crossed the runway.
A video of the shocking incident has surfaced, showing the Southwest aircraft performing a last-second “touch and go” maneuver to avoid disaster.
The close call is reminiscent of a similar situation at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in December, when a Delta jet nearly collided with a plane carrying the Gonzaga men’s basketball team.
The Midway incident adds to a growing list of aviation scares in 2025. While data shows air travel remains statistically safe, a series of crashes and near-misses have raised public concern.
WATCH:
This year’s aviation chaos started January 29, when a mid-air collision over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., killed all 67 people aboard an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter.
The crash, which occurred during the plane’s final approach to Reagan National Airport, is under investigation by the NTSB, with early findings pointing to possible air traffic control failures, miscommunication, and the helicopter flying at an incorrect altitude.
The tragedy deeply impacted the figure skating community, as several young skaters and their families were among the victims. Meanwhile, a victim’s family has filed a $250 million lawsuit against the FAA and the U.S. Army, citing negligence. The incident, along with recent aviation safety concerns, has led to a decline in public confidence in air travel.
More recently, a Delta Connection flight from Minneapolis flipped upside down while landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on February 17, with 80 people on board. While all passengers survived, 21 were injured, including a child and two adults who were initially in critical condition.
BREAKING: New, clear footage captures the moment the Delta plane crashed at Toronto Airport—miraculously, all passengers survived. pic.twitter.com/jEdUXqHbxd
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 18, 2025
Delta offered each passenger $30,000 as compensation, though at least one survivor has since filed a lawsuit against the airline. Investigators are looking into weather conditions and crew experience as possible factors in the crash.
Here are some of the most notable aviation incidents this year:
- January 29 – The devastating crash in Washington, D.C., resulted in 67 fatalities.
- January 31 – A medevac jet crashed in Philadelphia, killing seven people.
- February 6 – A regional airline flight in Nome, Alaska, went down, claiming 10 lives.
- February 14 – A fatal crash in Pierson, Florida, took the life of the pilot.
In total, 88 people have died in seven aviation incidents in the U.S. in 2025, according to Fox4.
Despite the recent high-profile incidents, aviation experts say the overall accident rate has remained stable. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports that more than 1,100 aviation accidents and incidents occur each year, but the vast majority involve small private planes rather than commercial airliners.
Aviation authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NTSB, have responded to recent events by reviewing safety protocols and investigating contributing factors. Airlines continue to invest in technology, pilot training, and operational improvements to ensure air travel remains among the safest forms of transportation.
While there were no injuries in Chicago, the footage has sparked renewed discussions on runway safety and the need for enhanced air traffic control measures.
