D.C. Collision Avoided Between Jet and Military Aircraft/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A Delta passenger plane and U.S. Air Force jets were diverted near Washington, D.C., on Friday to avoid a potential mid-air collision. The FAA confirmed that both aircraft received urgent corrective instructions. No injuries were reported, and an investigation is underway.
D.C. Airspace Near-Miss Quick Looks
- Delta Flight 2983 and Air Force jets diverted mid-flight
- Incident occurred at Reagan National Airport around 3:15 p.m.
- Airliner received collision alert as T-38 jets approached
- Air traffic controllers issued immediate corrections to both aircraft
- Delta flight was bound for Minneapolis-St. Paul with 131 passengers
- No injuries reported; FAA opens investigation into the event
- T-38 Talons were en route to Arlington Cemetery flyover
- Military jets described as supersonic twin-engine trainers
D.C. Collision Avoided Between Jet and Military Aircraft
Deep Look
Airliner and Military Jets Diverted Near D.C. Airport to Avoid Mid-Air Collision
WASHINGTON — A potential mid-air collision was narrowly avoided Friday afternoon when a Delta Air Lines passenger jet and a formation of U.S. Air Force aircraft were both ordered to divert from their flight paths near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, federal officials confirmed.
Delta Flight 2983, an Airbus A319 carrying 131 passengers, two pilots, and three flight attendants, was cleared for takeoff around 3:15 p.m. at the same time that four U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon jets were approaching the area for a ceremonial flyover at Arlington National Cemetery.
According to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), an onboard alert notified the Delta flight crew of nearby aircraft, prompting air traffic controllers to issue urgent corrective instructions to both the commercial flight and the incoming military jets. The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident.
The Delta flight, scheduled to depart for Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, had pushed back from its gate at 2:55 p.m. and was expected to arrive in Minnesota by 4:36 p.m. local time. The flight was momentarily delayed as the crew followed instructions to avoid a conflict in airspace.
“No injuries occurred, and all appropriate procedures were followed,” Delta Air Lines said in a statement.
The T-38 Talon, as described by the U.S. Air Force, is a supersonic jet trainer used by multiple government agencies, including NASA, for pilot instruction and high-performance training missions. Though the aircraft typically operate in coordinated formations, their high speed and agility make coordination in civilian airspace a priority for safety officials.
The incident adds to ongoing concerns about airspace congestion around major U.S. metropolitan areas, especially near Washington, D.C., where a mix of commercial, military, and government aircraft share tightly controlled airspace.
As of Saturday morning, the FAA has not released additional details about the proximity of the aircraft or whether human error contributed to the close call.
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