Incident Overview

Federal aviation authorities have launched an investigation following a close encounter between a Delta Air Lines passenger plane and a U.S. Air Force T-38 jet. This incident, which involved a collision warning and required corrective instructions from air traffic control, occurred on January 30, 2023.

This close call comes less than two months after a tragic accident at the same airport involving a military helicopter and a commercial jet, resulting in the loss of 67 lives.

Flight Details

On the afternoon of the incident, Delta Flight 2983 was departing from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Minneapolis. Shortly after takeoff, the crew received an alert indicating the presence of another aircraft nearby. In accordance with safety protocols, air traffic controllers issued immediate corrective instructions to both the Delta flight and the T-38.

The T-38 Talon, known for its supersonic capabilities, was conducting a flyover in honor of Arlington National Cemetery.

Response from Delta and Authorities

In a statement regarding the incident, Delta Air Lines confirmed that its flight crew adhered to the instructions provided by the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). The airline emphasized that passenger safety remains its highest priority and expressed commitment to cooperate with the regulatory investigation led by the FAA.

The FAA has emphasized the importance of understanding the circumstances surrounding this incident, which again raises concerns about flight patterns near busy airspace where helicopters and commercial airplanes operate in close proximity.

Context of Recent Incidents

The close call occurred in a context shaped by prior incidents that have raised significant safety concerns. Following the January 2023 collision between an American Airlines flight and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, the FAA implemented stringent restrictions on helicopter operations near DCA to prevent future occurrences.

According to the preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), there have been over 15,000 documented close calls between commercial flights and helicopters from October 2021 to December 2024, underscoring the heightened risk in this busy airspace.

Political Response

In light of this incident, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar expressed serious concerns over the safety implications of military aircraft operating at such low altitudes amidst commercial air traffic. She plans to discuss the matter directly with the Department of Defense, raising questions about the decision-making processes behind flight operations in these crowded airspaces.