A scary moment in the skies near Washington, D.C. was avoided thanks to a cockpit warning system. On Friday afternoon, March 28th, a Delta Air Lines flight nearly collided with a U.S. Air Force jet after takeoff from Reagan National Airport. Quick action by pilots and air traffic controllers prevented what could have been a deadly disaster.
The incident happened around 3:15 p.m. Delta Flight 2983, an Airbus A319 carrying 131 passengers and 5 crew members, had just been cleared for takeoff. Suddenly, the plane’s collision alarm sounded—a U.S. Air Force T-38 training jet was flying dangerously close. Data from FlightRadar24 shows the military jet came within 500 feet of the Delta plane while traveling at 350 mph at just 800 feet above the ground.
“Was there another aircraft about 500 feet below us?” the Delta pilot asked air traffic control in radio recordings. The controller confirmed the near-miss. Both aircraft were immediately given new instructions to avoid each other. The Air Force jet later landed safely at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.
This frightening event comes just two months after a tragic collision at the same airport. On January 29th, a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed into an American Airlines passenger plane, sending both aircraft into the Potomac River and killing 67 people. That helicopter was also on a training mission.
Since January’s disaster, the FAA has created new rules banning non-essential military flights near Reagan National and preventing helicopters and passenger jets from sharing the same airspace. However, Friday’s incident shows that risks remain when military and civilian aircraft operate close to busy airports.
Delta praised its crew for following safety procedures during the emergency. The FAA has launched a full investigation into how the Air Force jet came so close to the passenger plane. Aviation experts warn that while technology like collision warnings helps, better coordination between military and civilian air traffic control may be needed to prevent future close calls.
Reagan National Airport, located just across the river from Washington, D.C., is one of America’s busiest—and most challenging—airports for pilots due to heavy air traffic and restricted airspace around the capital. This latest near-miss will likely lead to more discussions about balancing military training needs with passenger safety.
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