Patty Wetli removed a 50‑ton boulder that had become lodged on a runway at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Saturday afternoon. The operation, completed at 15:44 UTC, cleared the obstruction and restored the runway to normal use.
The rock, weighing roughly 50 tons, was discovered during routine inspections of the runway surface. Officials determined that its presence posed a safety risk to aircraft taking off and landing, prompting an immediate response to extract the mass.
Wetli, a seasoned construction worker with experience in heavy‑equipment operations, led the effort using machinery capable of handling the weight of the boulder. The removal process required careful positioning of the equipment to avoid further damage to the runway while lifting and transporting the stone to a designated disposal area.
Airport officials confirmed that the runway was reopened shortly after the boulder’s removal, and no flights were delayed as a result of the incident. The swift action underscored the importance of regular runway maintenance and rapid response capabilities at one of the nation’s busiest air hubs.
O’Hare International Airport, which ranks among the busiest airports in the United States, handles a high volume of commercial and cargo traffic daily. Maintaining clear runways is a critical component of its operational safety program, and incidents such as this highlight the vigilance required to keep the airfield functional.
The successful extraction of the boulder demonstrates the airport’s capacity to address unexpected hazards quickly. Maintenance crews will continue routine inspections to detect any further anomalies, ensuring that runway conditions remain safe for the thousands of flights that pass through O’Hare each year.