Additional Coverage:
- JetBlue flight and U.S. Air Force aircraft avoid ‘midair collision’ near Venezuela, pilot says (nbcnews.com)
Close Call in the Skies: JetBlue and Air Force Aircraft Nearly Collide Near Venezuela
A potentially dangerous mid-air incident involving a JetBlue passenger plane and a U.S. Air Force aircraft near Venezuela on Friday is currently under review by U.S.
Southern Command. Air traffic control audio captures the moments a JetBlue pilot reported the near-collision, expressing concern over the military plane’s proximity and lack of a transponder signal.
The JetBlue flight, en route from Curaçao to New York City, was climbing when its crew spotted the Air Force tanker. “They passed directly in our flight path,” the pilot reported, adding, “We had to stop our climb.”
The pilot also noted that the military aircraft’s transponder, a device crucial for air traffic control to track and identify planes, was not active. “It’s outrageous,” the pilot stated in the audio.
In response, U.S. Southern Command spokesperson Colonel Manny Ortiz issued a statement emphasizing that military aircrews are “highly trained professionals who operate in accordance with established procedures and applicable airspace requirements.” Ortiz reiterated that “Safety remains a top priority, and we are working through the appropriate channels to assess the facts surrounding the situation.”
JetBlue also confirmed the incident, stating that its flight crew promptly reported the event to leadership and that the airline has “reported this incident to federal authorities and will participate in any investigation.”
The region where the incident occurred is an area of heightened tension, with U.S. Southern Command actively operating amid ongoing issues between Venezuela and the U.S.
While the JetBlue pilot expressed alarm over the lack of a transponder signal, a U.S. official familiar with the incident indicated that the tanker was within an approved range of the commercial flight and that military aircraft sometimes operate with transponders off, particularly during specific operations.
The incident highlights a complex aspect of airspace management where multiple agencies may have jurisdiction. It is possible for both military and commercial flights to adhere to their respective regulations and still experience such close encounters, as no single agency always holds primary authority over certain airspaces.
The review of this incident is ongoing as officials work to understand the full circumstances of what transpired in the skies over Venezuela.