Delta plane, Air Force jet nearly crash in ‘loss of separation’ during Arlington National Cemetery flyover

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently conducting an investigation after a Delta Air Lines plane came dangerously close to colliding midair with a T-38 Air Force jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). This incident occurred just months after a tragic collision at the same airport claimed the lives of 67 individuals in January.

Delta Air Lines Flight 2983, an Airbus A319 bound for Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), took off from its DCA gate at 2:55 p.m. local time and was granted clearance for takeoff around 3:15 p.m., according to reports from the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Simultaneously, four U.S. Air Force T-38 Talons were en route to Arlington National Cemetery for a flyover, as confirmed by the FAA and U.S. Air Force.

The Delta aircraft received an alert onboard indicating the presence of another nearby aircraft, prompting air traffic controllers to issue corrective instructions to both planes, as per FAA statements. The NTSB acknowledged a “loss of separation” between Delta Flight 2983 and other aircraft shortly after its departure from DCA.

In response to the situation, Delta officials stated that the flight crew followed instructions from the traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) in adherence to their training and standard operating procedures. A Delta spokesperson emphasized the airline’s commitment to prioritizing the safety of passengers and crew, highlighting the crew’s compliance with maneuvering instructions provided.

Onboard the Delta flight were two pilots, three flight attendants, and 131 passengers, all of whom were thankfully unharmed during the incident.

The FAA has announced that an investigation into the near-miss event is underway. The NTSB, however, mentioned that they are currently in the process of gathering information and have not yet initiated a formal investigation.

As the aviation authorities continue to probe the circumstances surrounding this incident, it serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of aviation safety protocols and procedures in preventing potentially catastrophic midair collisions.

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