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FAA Investigates Near Miss Between Delta Flight and Air Force Jet

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated an investigation following a near midair collision between a Delta Air Lines aircraft and a T-38 Air Force jet on Friday, close to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). This incident occurs just months after a catastrophic crash at the same airport in January, which resulted in the tragic loss of 67 lives.

Delta Air Lines Flight 2983, operated by an Airbus A319 and en route to Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), departed DCA at 2:55 p.m. local time and received clearance for takeoff around 3:15 p.m., according to information from both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Meanwhile, a formation of four U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon jets was approaching Arlington National Cemetery for a scheduled flyover, as stated by the FAA and U.S. Air Force.

The T-38 Talon, a high-performance, twin-engine jet trainer, is renowned for its versatility in various training roles, operational efficiency, and impressive safety history.

Concerns Over Air Safety in D.C. Following Recent Tragedies

During the Delta flight’s ascent, the crew received an onboard alert indicating the presence of another aircraft nearby, prompting air traffic controllers to issue corrective instructions to both the Delta flight and the T-38 jet. The NTSB confirmed awareness of a “loss of separation” shortly after the Delta flight took off from DCA.

Delta representatives indicated that their flight crew adhered to the instructions provided by the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), following standard operational protocols. “Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and crew,” a Delta spokesperson remarked. “The flight crew responded as trained to manage the situation.”

The Delta flight was carrying two pilots, three flight attendants, and 131 passengers at the time of the incident.

In response to this latest incident, the FAA has committed to conducting a thorough investigation. A spokesperson from the NTSB noted that information is currently being collected but that an investigative launch is still pending.

As investigations continue, this recent occurrence raises additional questions about air safety protocols and operational practices in high-traffic areas, highlighting the ongoing need for vigilance in aviation safety amidst the complexities of managing airspace.

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