Southwest Plane Nearly Collides with Private Jet

Halcyon66

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The investigation on this one is going to be pretty cut-and-dried, I think. ATC gives Flexjet instruction to cross 31L and hold short of 31C. FlexJet reads it back completely wrong, ATC corrects them, flexjet reads it back right, and then still fucks it up. And keeps rolling even after ATC starts yelling "hold short" at them. Southwest apparently was already going around even before ATC called Flexjet to stop.

There may be some contributing factors like the fact that 31C is a tiny runway (mostly for General Aviation) and maybe FlexJet thought 31C was 31L and the new taxiway Hotel (formerly Rwy 31R) was 31C. But there are 100% signs at every intersection with the names on them, so that's no excuse at all.
 
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Both pilots on the Learjet were also probably looking in the wrong direction, meaning that planning to T.O from 22L they didn't figure what direction the wind was blowing (otherwise they would have had their eyes locked on the runway approach direction).
It echoes the fact GRD reminded them the correct departure frequency.
Also TWR looks to be lagging behind the events (the youngest voice heard issuing instructions).
 
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Captain Steve on Instagram gave an excellent explanation of the event at Midway. The Flexjet guys got the request from 'pilot hell'. Call this number.
 
This actually reads like undue influence to me. The Transportation Secretary should not be pre-judging the outcome of the investigation.
I agree. A major reason for the general increase in aviation safety is that the knee jerk "it's the pilots' fault" response was mostly successful in covering up systemic problems.
 
Open communication is a key pillar of American aviation 's safety culture. If they set the precedent that the President of the United States is going to personally call for your paperwork over a single incident, pilots and ATCs are going to clam up and prioritize CYA over safety culture. Stupid political posturing.
 
pilots and ATCs are going to clam up and prioritize CYA over safety culture.
"Are going to clam up"? More like "already are and have been"...
And the below is just one specific demographic of pilots,

5,000 pilots suspected of hiding major health issues. Most are still flying.
August 27, 2023

and

FAA Works with Veterans to Reconcile Pilot Medical Records
The FAA is doing its part to ensure that the information on file for Airman Medical Certificate holders is accurate and complete.
Federal Aviation Administration
Cleared for Takeoff
Federal Aviation Administration
Published in Cleared for Takeoff
3 min read
Jun 16, 2023

The U.S. Transportation Department’s Inspector General raised concerns about potential discrepancies following an audit. After working with the VA, the FAA determined that just under 1 percent (just under 4,800) of the more than 600,000 certified pilots in the U.S. might have submitted incorrect or false information about certain medical conditions that qualify for Veterans Administration benefits as part of their most recent FAA medical application.
The FAA is notifying veterans whose records may contain incorrect information about VA disability benefits and/or related medical conditions that they have a limited timeframe to reconcile any information on file with the FAA.
Written by Federal Aviation Administration
Welcome to the official Medium account of the FAA. Following, mention or comment does not mean endorsement. Have a question, we’ll answer it!
 

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