Close Call in the Skies: Delta Flight and Air Force Jet Nearly Collide

An illustration capturing the tense moment of a Delta flight narrowly avoiding a military jet.

News Summary

On Friday afternoon, Delta Flight 2983 nearly collided with a U.S. Air Force T-38 jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The incident prompted evasive maneuvers following a traffic alert. Both aircraft avoided a disaster after the Delta crew received advisories from air traffic control. This alarming near-miss has raised concerns, especially in light of previous aviation tragedies. Delta Air Lines reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety as the FAA investigates the incident.

Close Call in the Skies: Delta Flight and Air Force Jet Nearly Collide

In a startling turn of events on Friday afternoon, a **Delta Air Lines flight** narrowly avoided disaster when it came close to colliding with a **U.S. Air Force T-38 jet** near **Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport**. The incident unfolded around **3:15 p.m. ET** as **Delta Flight 2983**, an **Airbus A319**, was just embarking on its journey to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

What Happened?

Delta Flight 2983 carried a total of **136 individuals**, including **131 passengers**, **two pilots**, and **three flight attendants**. As they climbed into the sky, they were blissfully unaware of the **T-38 Talon** slipping past them at speeds exceeding **350 miles per hour** and at an altitude of approximately **800 feet**.

The military jet had taken off from **Langley Air Force Base** in Virginia and was headed to a flyover at **Arlington National Cemetery** for a special event. While the T-38 was en route, it surprisingly crossed paths with the commercial flight, leading to a **traffic alert** for Delta’s crew.

The Close Encounter

While the **Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)** has launched an inquiry into this alarming situation, the pilots of Delta Flight 2983 quickly sprung into action. The **onboard Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)** detected the nearby aircraft, prompting a “**resolution advisory**” that signaled the pilots to execute evasive maneuvers to steer clear of the potential impact.

As the Delta crew sought clarity from air traffic controllers, they learned that the **T-38 jet** was situated approximately **500 feet below** their aircraft. Thankfully, quick communication and established safety procedures ensured that both aircraft would safely avoid a collision.

Safety Concerns on the Rise

This incident raises serious concerns, especially following the tragic **American Airlines** crash on **January 29**, involving a collision with an **Army Black Hawk helicopter** that claimed **67 lives**. In light of such events, the FAA is under immense pressure to tighten safety protocols in the congested airspace around **DCA**. Recent reports from the **National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)** highlighted over **15,000 close-proximity events** involving commercial airplanes and helicopters in the vicinity from **2021 to 2024**.

What Delta Says

In response to this latest close call, Delta Air Lines reiterated its steadfast **commitment to passenger safety**. The airline emphasized that its flight crew adhered to all established protocols aimed at ensuring the safety of everyone onboard.

A Reminder of Air Safety

The close encounter between Delta Flight 2983 and the T-38 serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of constant vigilance in aviation. As we look forward to safer skies, let’s hope that such incidents become a thing of the past, with improved measures ensuring that both commercial and military flights can coexist peacefully in our busy airspace.

As we learn more about the investigation by the FAA, stay tuned for updates on what will certainly be a pivotal moment in aviation safety in the coming weeks.