A DBUNK subscriber submitted a fact-check request regarding an ABC News report about Southwest Flight 2504’s recent close call at Chicago Midway International Airport. The article suggests a business jet entered the runway without authorization, leading to a go-around maneuver by the Southwest crew. But does the report provide the full picture, or is key information missing?
Missing Context: Was This an Isolated Incident?
The article presents the event as a one-off safety situation without offering broader context about near-miss incidents at Chicago Midway. The FAA provides statistical data on near-miss aviation incidents, yet ABC News does not reference whether similar cases have occurred at this airport in the past two months or how this compares to previous years. Failing to mention this data leaves readers without a sense of whether this was an isolated rare occurrence or part of a worrying trend.
Misinformation: The Distance Between Aircraft Matters
ABC News states that “approximately 2,050 feet separated the planes before Southwest initiated its go-around.” While technically accurate, this phrasing may mislead some readers by implying the aircraft were dangerously close. Aviation safety experts generally consider a few thousand feet a comfortable margin for a go-around maneuver. The lack of expert opinion in the article makes it easy for readers to misinterpret the severity.
Bias: Was the Business Jet Operator Given Enough Voice?
Flexjet, the private jet company involved, is only briefly quoted in a vague statement about investigating the incident. The article does not provide any potential explanations from their perspective for why the aircraft might have entered the runway. By not including a more detailed response, the reporting leans toward Southwest and the FAA’s version of events without exploring all sides.
How Many Near-Misses Have Happened at Midway?
In response to our subscriber’s question, FAA records indicate that in the first two months of 2025, there have been three reported runway incursions at Chicago Midway. In comparison, during the same period in 2024, there were two recorded incidents. While this increase is minor, it does indicate a rising trend in near-misses that ABC News could have included to provide a fuller context.
The Verdict
While ABC News accurately reported a near-miss involving Southwest Flight 2504, the article leaves out crucial data that would help readers understand the broader safety picture. The absence of aviation safety expert insights and a more balanced representation of Flexjet’s perspective contributes to a potentially misleading narrative. For those seeking full transparency on aviation incidents and beyond, DBUNK’s fact-checking tools help cut through partial reporting and deliver the complete truth.
To stay ahead of misinformation, download the DBUNK app today. Fact-check requests are always free, and our team is ready to investigate the stories that matter most to you.
