A Delta flight had a close call with an Air Force jet just months after one of the nation’s deadliest aviation tragedies.
On Friday afternoon, as a Minneapolis-bound Delta flight took off near Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), it was alerted to the presence of an Air Force jet in the vicinity. This incident followed the tragic January collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, which killed all 67 people aboard both aircrafts.
The Delta flight, with 131 passengers, had been cleared for takeoff while four U.S. Air Force T-38 jets were en route to Arlington National Cemetery for a flyover. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident.
The flight, departing at 2:55 EDT, received notification from air traffic controllers at 3:15 p.m. about the nearby military jet. Both aircraft took corrective action to avoid a collision.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people,” said Delta in a statement, emphasizing that the flight crew followed procedures to ensure safety.
Meanwhile, air traffic near DCA has drawn increased scrutiny following the January crash, which led to a renewed push for limiting military helicopter operations near the airport. Lawmakers have called for tighter airspace restrictions, and both the Trump administration and Transportation officials have vowed to address the issues, with the FAA facing pressure for overhauling its operations in light of the ongoing safety concerns.
