South
NTSB probe of Chicago Midway near miss reveals sun glare as possible contributing factor
Sun glare may have been a contributing factor in the recent near miss involving a Southwest Airlines jet at Chicago Midway International Airport, a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed.
The Southwest Airlines flight was forced to perform a go-around maneuver while coming in for a landing when a smaller Flexjet aircraft began taxiing across the plane’s path on the runway on Feb. 25. The incident was captured in a dramatic video.
The NTSB’s preliminary report said the flight crew of the Flexjet plane was instructed by ground control to “turn left onto runway 04L, cross runway 31L and then hold short of runway 31C,” where the Southwest plane was arriving.
“According to post-incident statements, the flight crew of LXJ560 indicated that as they turned left onto runway 4L/22R, the sun was impeding visibility from the right side of the aircraft” — the direction in which the Southwest jet was heading towards them, the report said.
SOUTHWEST FLIGHT BARELY MISSES COLLISION AT CHICAGO MIDWAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
The Southwest flight crew performed a go-around maneuver to avoid a possible incident with a private jet that crossed its path on the runway at Chicago Midway International Airport on Tuesday morning. (StreamTime Live)
It added that the Flexjet flight crew “did not recall seeing any hold short line/pavement markings or any other signs for the 31L intersection as they taxied onto runway 04L/22R.
“They further stated that runway 13R/31L appeared to have a very similar width to taxiways and that they had not recognized it as a runway,” the NTSB report also said. “The captain stated that as he approached runway 13C/31C he had thought it was runway 13R/31L. As they approached the runway intersection the crew stated they both looked to the left and to the right and did not observe the SWA [Southwest] airplane on final.”
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“As LXJ560 approached the hold short line for runway 31C the ground controller instructed LXJ560 to hold short, but the transmission was not acknowledged,” according to the NTSB.
NTSB BLAMES SOUTHWEST CHICAGO NEAR MISS ON FLEXJET CREW ‘FAILURE’ TO LISTEN TO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
A diagram showing the travel paths of the Flexjet aircraft, in blue, and the Southwest Airlines plane, in orange, on Feb. 25 at Chicago Midway International Airport. (NTSB)
Following the incident, the captain of the Flexjet aircraft parked the plane and “subsequently contacted the operator to notify them of the possible pilot deviation, assessed their wellbeing to continue the flight, and subsequently departed about 25 minutes after the runway incursion,” the NTSB added,
Southwest Flight 2504 from Omaha, Nebraska, ultimately landed safely, having performed the precautionary maneuver to avoid “a possible conflict” with the Flexjet aircraft, Southwest said in a statement to Fox News at the time of the incident.
“The crew followed safety procedures and the flight landed without incident,” a Southwest spokesperson told Fox News in a statement. “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees.”
The NTSB’s preliminary report suggested that sun glare might have been a contributing factor in the Feb. 25 incident in Chicago. (NTSB)
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“We are aware of the occurrence… in Chicago,” added a Flexjet spokesperson in a statement. “Flexjet adheres to the highest safety standards and we are conducting a thorough investigation. Any action to rectify and ensure the highest safety standards will be taken.”
Fox News Digital’s Stephen Sorace and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
Dallas, TX
Insider Reveals Dallas Cowboys’ Upcoming Plans With Anthony Hill Jr.
The Dallas Cowboys may not have met formally with Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. at the NFL Combine, but their interest in the Longhorns’ defender is still worth watching.
Earlier this week, it was revealed by Dallas Cowboys’ beat writer Clarence Hill Jr. that Dallas has intentions to schedule a private dinner with Hill Jr. ahead of Texas’ pro day.
Currently, the Texas linebacker is rated the No. 5 linebacker and the No. 34 prospect in this year’s draft class.
Texas LB Anthony Hills Jr did not have a formal meeting with the Cowboys at the combine but a private dinner is planned before the Texas pro day, per source
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) February 25, 2026
The Cowboys have made it abundantly clear that they are keeping their eyes on the elite prospects coming from the state of Texas.
Not only did the organization meet with Longhorns’ linebacker Trey Moore earlier this week, but it has also spent time with multiple Texas A&M prospects during the pre-draft process.
Why Anthony Hill Jr. Makes Sense for Dallas
Hill Jr. makes plenty of sense for Dallas because of the kind of speed, range, and physicality he brings to the second level of a defense. Across three years at Texas, the linebacker totaled just under 250 tackles, 31.5 tackles for a loss, and 17.0 sacks. He also forced eight fumbles, deflected seven passes, and caught three interceptions during his time in Austin as well.
With that kind of résumé at the collegiate level, it’s no wonder why the Cowboys have shown great interest in Hill Jr. While they may not have formally met with him before the NFL Combine, the organization’s willingness to schedule a dinner the Texas linebacker says plenty about the level of respect it has for his game.
There are many mock drafts that have Hill Jr. going in the first round of this year’s draft. He’s projected an early second-round pick, but his versatility and well-rounded physical traits set him apart from most defensive prospects.
He also set himself apart from the other linebackers in this draft cycle by running a 4.51-second 40-time at the NFL Combine earlier this week. Ohio State’s Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles both ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, while TCU’s Kaleb Elarms-Orr recorded an impressive time of 4.47 seconds.
The private dinner gives the Cowboys a chance to learn more about Hill Jr. away from the football field. While the Texas linebacker has the tangibles to be an instant playmaker for any NFL franchise, it seems that Dallas is looking to learn more about his personality before the Texas Longhorns’ pro day.
Last year, Texas’ Pro Day took place on March 25, giving NFL teams one final chance to watch the Longhorns’ draft prospects go through drills and interviews in Austin.
Atlanta, GA
Shooting causes lockdown at Mall of Stonecrest
STONECREST, Ga. – The DeKalb County Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred at the Mall of Stonecrest on Saturday afternoon.
What we know:
The department was alerted to the shooting around 12:40 p.m. Officers responded to the mall and immediately began a search of the premises. In an early update, police stated the mall was on lockdown and that no victim had been found.
A few hours later, police confirmed a victim had been located and several people were detained after running away from the mall. The injured person was transported to a hospital and is expected to survive.
The mall remained on lockdown as of 3:45 p.m. as officers continued clearing the building. Police said the process could take several hours and requested that the public continue to avoid the area.
DeKalb police stated there is no further danger to the public.
What we don’t know:
At this time, it is unclear what led to the shooting or if any of the detained individuals have been charged.
The Source: Information in this article came from the DeKalb County Police Department via an email.
Augusta, GA
Lock and Dam Park closing to public for a month in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The city of Augusta announced a temporary closure of New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam Park.
Closure of the park at 2105 Lock and Dam Road will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to repair the lock and dam structure.
The park will be closed from March 4 to April 7.
All areas of the park will be closed.
However, the Baurle Boat Ramp will remain open and accessible to the public for fishing and boating activities.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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