Track and field athletes, staff avoid collision on Southwest flight and land safely in Chicago

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The Concordia University track and field team averted disaster on Tuesday as the plane they were traveling on en route to Florida for the NAIA National Track and Field Championships aborted its landing at Chicago Midway Airport to avoid colliding with another aircraft.

Southwest Flight 2504 carried 24 Concordia athletes, as well as coaching and athletic training staff, who were connecting to Florida. The flight was touching down for landing when the pilots noticed a smaller jet crossing the runway in front of them. The pilots then performed a touch-and-go maneuver to get back in the air before a collision could occur.

The other airline involved was the private jet company Flexjet. Audio from the air traffic control center showed that the private jet did not heed instructions to stop before the runway where the Southwest flight was touching down.

Concordia University, Nebraska released a statement about the incident thanking God for the safety of everyone onboard the plane.

“We give thanks to our merciful God that all crew and passengers, including all of Concordia Nebraska’s travel party, were unharmed and able to continue their schedule uninterrupted,” the statement read.

Coach Matt Beisel responded to a post on X that reported on the near-miss. He also thanked God as well as the pilot of the aircraft.

“Thanking God for the outcome of this, it could have been very different,” Beisel said. “Our coaching staff and 24 collegiate track & field athletes were on this Southwest flight, route to the NAIA National Indoor Track & Field Championship. Pilot made a smooth touch and go and we were safe.”