FAA To Investigate Near Mid-Air Collision Between Commercial Plane And Air Force Jet At Reagan National Airport

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating a near mid-air collision between a Delta Air Lines flight and an Air Force jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

The close call follows the fatal mid-air collision in January between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter, killing all 67 people aboard both aircraft.

“Delta Air Lines A319 taking off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport almost collides with a US Air Force T-38, the FAA has reported. Delta 2983 was departing Reagan Airport around 3:15 p.m. on Friday and heading to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for a regularly scheduled flight, when the incident occurred,” Breaking Aviation News & Videos wrote.

“The Delta aircraft received an onboard alert that another aircraft was nearby and air traffic controllers issued corrective instructions to both aircraft. The FAA is to investigate the incident,” it added.

Fox News reports:

Meanwhile, four U.S. Air Force T-38 Talons were inbound to Arlington National Cemetery for a flyover, according to the FAA and U.S. Air Force.

The Delta aircraft received an “onboard alert” that another aircraft was nearby, and air traffic controllers issued corrective instructions to both aircraft, according to the FAA.

The NTSB said it was aware of “a loss of separation” between Delta flight 2983 and other aircraft, shortly after takeoff from DCA.

Delta officials said the flight crew followed instructions from the traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS), as per training and procedures.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people,” a Delta spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “That’s why the flight crew followed procedures to maneuver the aircraft as instructed.”

Two pilots, three flight attendants and 131 passengers were onboard the Delta flight.

Per CBS News:

It’s unclear how close the fighter jet got to the passenger plane. The flight had 131 passengers, two pilots, and three flight attendants on board at the time, a Delta spokesperson confirmed to CBS News.

The Delta spokesperson said the flight crew also followed instructions from the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System, an FAA device used to reduce the risk of mid-air collisions.

Shortly after the close call, one of the Delta pilots asked Reagan air traffic controllers, “Was there an actual aircraft about 500 feet below us as we came off DCA?” The departure controller responded, “Delta 2983, affirmative,” according to audio from LiveATC.net.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people,” a spokesperson for Delta said in a statement to CBS News. “That’s why the flight crew followed procedures to maneuver the aircraft as instructed.”

CBS News has reached out to the Air Force for a statement.

The FAA said it will investigate the incident.

This comes in the wake of the Jan. 29 midair collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines flight near Reagan National that killed 67 people, the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2001.

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