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FAA investigates close encounter near Washington airport

FAA investigates close encounter near Washington airport
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Federal Aviation Administration | Official Website

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating a close encounter between a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 and a U.S. Air Force T-38 jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. This incident occurred on Friday afternoon when Delta Flight 2983, bound for Minneapolis, narrowly avoided a collision with military aircraft in the busy and restricted airspace.

"The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement: 'Delta Air Lines Flight 2983 was cleared for takeoff at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport around 3:15 p.m. local time on Friday, March 28, while four U.S. Air Force T-38 Talons were inbound to Arlington National Cemetery for a flyover. The Delta aircraft received an onboard alert that another aircraft was nearby. Air traffic controllers issued corrective instructions to both aircraft. The FAA will investigate.'"

The Delta flight, departing at approximately 15:15 local time for Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, received a "resolution advisory" warning from its onboard Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), prompting the flight crew to take evasive action. According to CNN audio reports, the Delta pilot inquired if there was an aircraft about 500 feet below as they were taking off, to which the air traffic controller confirmed.

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A Delta Air Lines spokesperson commented, "Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people." The crew followed procedures to maneuver the aircraft as instructed. The flight, with two pilots, three flight attendants, and 131 passengers aboard, successfully landed in Minneapolis at 16:40 local time.

Information from FlightRadar.com indicated one of the T-38 jets was at an altitude of 875 feet. The incident has prompted criticism, particularly from Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, who stated, "My first call to Department of Defense tomorrow: why are your planes flying 500 feet below passenger jets full of Minnesotans headed from DCA to my state."

This incident follows a deadly crash in January involving an American Airlines jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter that killed all aboard. After the crash, the FAA introduced stricter regulations for helicopter operations at DCA, limiting non-essential flights and the proximity of passenger and military aircraft.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy mentioned the use of AI tools to identify hotspots in similar airspaces nationwide, stating this effort is underway at 12 airports.

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