Midway Airport Redesignates Runways After Close Call

Chicago Midway International Airport will redesignate its runways on June 12. Runway 13C/31C will become Runway 13L/31R, while the existing Runway 13L/31R will be decommissioned.

The Chicago Department of Aviation announced the planned airfield changes as part of ongoing safety improvements at the city’s second-busiest airport.

According to an FAA Safety Team Notice (NOTC4427) issued on Wednesday, the changes are significant enough to warrant a special notification to pilots and aviation personnel. The notice is scheduled to remain active until June 19, one week after implementation.

The redesignation comes following a series of safety mishaps at the airport, including a near-miss involving Southwest flight 2504, a Boeing 737-800, and a FlexJet Challenger 350 in February. The incident occurred when the Challenger jet crossed Runway 31C while the Southwest aircraft was operating on the same runway.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report, the Flexjet crew, while taxiing for departure, was instructed to turn onto Runway 4L, cross Runway 31L, and hold short of Runway 31C. However, the pilots reported confusion over the taxi instructions and misidentified Runway 31L as a taxiway due to its narrow width, similar to adjacent taxiways, and the proximity of Taxiway F and Runway 13R/31L.

This misperception led them to believe they had not yet crossed Runway 31L when they were, in fact, entering Runway 31C, which was active for the Southwest flight’s landing. Compounding the issue, the Flexjet crew stated that sun glare impeded their visibility, preventing them from seeing critical hold short lines and signage for Runway 31C.

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

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