Delta Near-Miss Incident with Air Force Jet

A Delta Air Lines flight experienced a close call with a U.S. Air Force jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Friday, raising safety concerns for travelers and aviation enthusiasts alike. The incident involved an Airbus A319 operating Delta Flight 2983, which was scheduled for a regular departure en route to Minneapolis-St. Paul. According to reports initially published by CNN, the flight encountered an Air Force T-38 jet, commonly used for training missions, while departing the airport. The proximity between the two aircraft was so close that cockpit alarms were triggered on the Airbus, alerting the flight crew to a potential collision risk.

Delta Flight 2983, carrying 131 passengers along with two pilots and three additional flight crew members, departed Reagan National at 2:55 p.m. ET. The aircraft’s Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) activated during the incident, prompting the crew to execute evasive maneuvers in accordance with established safety procedures. Delta Air Lines emphasized in a statement that ensuring the safety of passengers and crew is paramount and that the flight crew’s response was both swift and effective. “Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people,” the airline stated, adding that the crew followed all procedures to maneuver the aircraft safely.

After the incident, the flight continued its journey to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, arriving at its gate at approximately 5:46 p.m., roughly 10 minutes later than scheduled. Flight tracker FlightAware reported that the delay was partly due to an extended 20-minute taxiing period at Reagan National following the incident. Despite the close call, no injuries were reported among those on board. Delta noted that it would fully cooperate with regulators and aviation stakeholders during the review of the incident.

The Air Force has not yet provided any comments regarding the occurrence, and further details about the T-38’s flight path or mission at the time have not been disclosed. This near-miss comes amid heightened scrutiny in the aviation industry following a series of aircraft mishaps and accidents earlier this year. In a related incident on January 30, an American Eagle flight from Kansas collided with an Army helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., resulting in tragic fatalities and prompting the imposition of restrictions on military flights in the area. Although unrelated, that earlier incident has cast a long shadow over recent aviation safety discussions, intensifying the focus on airspace management around major metropolitan airports.

Delta’s proactive approach in handling the situation has been met with a degree of reassurance by passengers and industry experts, who note that the incident underscores the effectiveness of modern safety systems such as TCAS. The airline’s prompt response and adherence to strict operational protocols highlight the ongoing commitment to maintaining high safety standards despite occasional close calls. As investigations continue, Delta remains committed to transparency and collaboration with regulatory bodies to ensure that such incidents are thoroughly examined and that measures are taken to prevent future occurrences. This incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in modern air travel, where split-second decisions and advanced technology play crucial roles in safeguarding lives.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, cnbc.com