Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Delta Air Lines Flight Involved in Close Call Incident Near Washington Airport
A Delta Air Lines flight experienced a near miss with a U.S. Air Force jet on Friday in the vicinity of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, raising concerns about airspace safety. The incident, involving a commercial Airbus A319 and a military training jet, prompted cockpit alarms and is under review by aviation authorities.
Details of the Near Miss
According to reports, the close proximity occurred as the Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 was taking off from Reagan National. The other aircraft was identified as an Air Force T-38 jet, frequently utilized for pilot training exercises.
Sources indicate the aircraft came close enough to trigger warning systems in the cockpit of the commercial airliner.
Delta Flight 2983 and Safety Procedures
Delta Air Lines Flight 2983, en route to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, was operating on its scheduled flight path when the event unfolded. The aircraft was carrying 131 passengers, along with two pilots and three cabin crew members, according to the airline.
The flight departed at 2:55 p.m. Eastern Time. During the incident, the aircraft’s Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) activated, prompting the flight crew to take immediate action as per established safety protocols, Delta stated.
“The safety of our passengers and crew is always our paramount concern,” Delta Air Lines affirmed in a public statement. “Our flight crew adhered to standard procedures to safely maneuver the aircraft as directed by the system.”
No Injuries Reported and Review Underway
Fortunately, no injuries were reported among passengers or crew members as a result of the close call.
“We are committed to full cooperation with regulatory bodies and aviation stakeholders as they conduct any necessary review of this flight incident,” the airline confirmed.
Flight Arrival and Air Force Response
Data from FlightAware, a flight tracking service, shows that the Delta flight reached its designated gate at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport at 5:46 p.m. local time. The arrival was approximately 10 minutes behind schedule, which included a 20-minute period on the taxiway at Reagan National Airport.
The U.S. Air Force has not yet issued an official statement or response regarding the reported near miss.
Recent Aviation Incidents
This event follows a series of notable aviation incidents and accidents in recent months. Among these was the January 30th mid-air collision between an American Eagle regional flight from Kansas and a U.S. Army helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington D.C. That crash resulted in multiple fatalities and led to the implementation of temporary restrictions on helicopter and military aircraft operations in the airspace surrounding the capital.