Arlington, Virginia – Federal aviation officials are currently investigating a concerning incident involving a Delta Air Lines passenger plane and an Air Force jet outside of Washington, D.C. The incident sparked a collision warning and resulted in air traffic controllers providing “corrective instructions” to navigate the situation. This incident comes on the heels of a tragic collision at the same airport a few months prior, where an airliner and an Army helicopter were involved in a fatal accident.
On Friday afternoon, the incident occurred while four U.S. Air Force T-38 Talons were en route to Arlington National Cemetery in northern Virginia for a flyover, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). T-38 Talons are two-seat supersonic jets utilized for pilot training by the Air Force.
At approximately 3:15 p.m. local time, Delta Flight 2983 departing for Minneapolis took off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Shortly after departure, an alert inside the cockpit of the aircraft indicated the presence of another nearby aircraft, prompting air traffic controllers to issue instructions to both planes. The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident, with Delta stating that its flight crew adhered to the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) instructions. The airline has committed to collaborating with regulators to review the incident and ensure the safety of passengers and crew members.
The close call between the Delta aircraft and the military jet occurred in the context of increased scrutiny surrounding flight operations in the area. A previous incident involving an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter resulted in a tragic outcome, leading to the FAA imposing restrictions on helicopter flights near the airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has highlighted the risks associated with flight patterns around the vicinity of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, where commercial planes and helicopters operate in close proximity within a congested airspace. Following a deadly crash, the NTSB’s preliminary report revealed numerous instances of close calls between commercial planes and helicopters in the region.
The gravity of the situation was underscored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, who described the incident as “unbelievably dangerous” and pledged to address the matter with the Department of Defense. The incident is a stark reminder of the importance of aviation safety protocols and the need for continued vigilance in ensuring the well-being of passengers and aviation personnel.