A Delta Air Lines flight taking off from Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C., had a close call with a U.S. Air Force jet just moments after departure on Friday afternoon, officials have confirmed. Fortunately, both aircraft continued safely to their destinations with no damage or injuries.
The incident involved Delta Flight 2983, an Airbus A319, which was headed to Minneapolis, Minnesota. The flight took off around 3:15 p.m. Eastern Time, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
What Happened in the Sky?
While the Delta flight had just left Reagan Airport, four U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon jets were also in the area. These fighter jets were flying toward Arlington National Cemetery for a ceremonial flyover.
One of these military jets was reported to be at an altitude of 875 feet, based on FlightRadar.com data. Around this time, the Delta aircraft received an onboard alert warning of another aircraft nearby.
The Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), a safety device used by the FAA, issued a signal. Air traffic controllers then quickly gave corrective instructions to both the Delta pilots and the Air Force jet to avoid a collision.
How Close Were the Aircraft?
Although the exact distance between the two aircraft has not been officially confirmed, an audio recording from LiveATC.net revealed that one of the Delta pilots asked air traffic control:
“Was there an actual aircraft about 500 feet below us as we came off DCA?”
To which the departure controller replied:
“Delta 2983, affirmative.”
That means the fighter jet was likely about 500 feet below the passenger plane when the warning was triggered.
What Did Delta Say?
According to a Delta spokesperson, Flight 2983 had 131 passengers, two pilots, and three flight attendants on board. The crew followed all safety protocols and responded exactly as trained, relying on both air traffic control and the TCAS warning system.
In a statement to CBS News, Delta said:
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people. That’s why the flight crew followed procedures to maneuver the aircraft as instructed.”
The FAA has confirmed it will be investigating the incident to understand what went wrong and to improve safety measures.
A Serious Reminder of Air Safety Risks
This incident comes just weeks after a tragic mid-air collision on January 29, where a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines flight collided near Reagan National Airport. That accident killed 67 people, making it the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2001.
Although Friday’s event had a much safer outcome, it highlights the importance of coordination between commercial and military aircraft, especially in busy airspaces near Washington, D.C.
The close call between Delta Flight 2983 and a U.S. Air Force jet serves as a reminder of the high level of attention needed to manage American airspace. Thanks to the quick action of the pilots and air traffic controllers, a potential disaster was avoided.
The FAA’s investigation will aim to prevent similar situations in the future and ensure that both civilian and military flights can operate safely—even in crowded skies.