Delta Passenger Plane’s “Near Miss” Raises Worrying Questions

A Delta passenger plane narrowly avoided a catastrophic collision with a military fighter jet near the nation’s capital. The flight crew’s quick thinking and automated safety alerts prevented what could have been the second deadly aircraft crash at Reagan National in as many months.

At a glance:

• Delta Air Lines Flight 2983 with 131 passengers onboard was cleared for takeoff at the same time four U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon jets were inbound to Reagan National Airport

• Cockpit alarms alerted the Delta crew to the nearby military aircraft, prompting immediate evasive action and communication with air traffic control

• The incident follows a deadly midair collision at the same airport just two months ago which resulted in 67 fatalities

• The FAA has launched an investigation into the near-miss, while the Air Force has yet to comment on the incident

• Over 15,000 close calls have been reported at National Airport between 2021 and 2024, raising serious concerns about air traffic safety in the busy corridor

Military Jets Disrupt Commercial Flight

The frightening near-collision occurred as Delta Flight 2983, an Airbus A319 with 131 passengers and five crew members, was departing Reagan National Airport en route to Minneapolis-St. Paul. At the same moment, four U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon jets were approaching the airport for a scheduled flyover at Arlington National Cemetery, creating a dangerous convergence of aircraft in the busy airspace.

The potential disaster was only averted when alarm systems in the Delta cockpit triggered warnings about the approaching military aircraft. Flight tracking data later confirmed both the commercial airliner and military jet were briefly flying over the same area of the Potomac River, with the military aircraft reportedly passing just 500 feet below the passenger plane.

Latest in String of FAA Safety Concerns

This near-miss comes just two months after a deadly midair collision at the same airport between a regional jet and a military helicopter on a training exercise. That catastrophic accident resulted in 67 fatalities and raised serious questions about air traffic control procedures around the busy National Airport.

The National Transportation Safety Board has reported over 15,000 close calls at Reagan National Airport between 2021 and 2024. This alarming statistic highlights persistent safety issues in the crowded airspace near the nation’s capital that the Biden administration has failed to address effectively.

“Was there an actual aircraft about 500 ft below us as we came off of DCA?” one of the Delta pilots asked air traffic control after the incident.

“Delta 2983, affirmative,” the controller confirmed, acknowledging the dangerous proximity of the aircraft.

Investigation Underway as Questions Mount

The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident while Delta Air Lines emphasized their commitment to passenger safety. “Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people,” Delta stated, adding that “the flight crew followed procedures to maneuver the aircraft as instructed.”

The Air Force has not yet commented on why their T-38 Talon jets, described on the Air Force’s website as “twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainers,” were operating in close proximity to commercial flights. Military operations near commercial airports have been under increasing scrutiny, with a Senate subcommittee questioning FAA and Army officials about safety practices.

Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota called the incident “unbelievably dangerous” and plans to contact the Pentagon for an explanation. The Biden administration’s handling of air safety has faced mounting criticism as the FAA struggles to prevent these potentially catastrophic incidents in the increasingly congested airspace around major airports.

Delta Flight 2983 ultimately arrived at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport just 10 minutes behind schedule despite the harrowing encounter. The passengers aboard were fortunate that advanced safety systems and pilot training prevented what could have been another tragic aviation disaster under the current administration’s watch.

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