The federal aviation administration (FAA) is investigating a near midair collision between a Delta Air Lines flight and a US Air Force jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on Friday. The incident took place just months after a tragic collision at the same airport in January that claimed 67 lives.
Delta Air Lines Flight 2983, an Airbus A319 bound for Minneapolis-St Paul (MSP), left its gate at 2.55 pm local time and was cleared for takeoff around 3.15 pm, as per the FAA and the national transportation safety board (NTSB). At the same time, four US Air Force T-38 Talons were approaching Arlington national cemetery for a planned flyover.
As the Delta aircraft climbed after takeoff, an onboard alert warned the crew of another aircraft nearby. Air traffic controllers swiftly issued corrective instructions to both planes, the FAA said. The NTSB confirmed it was aware of “a loss of separation” between Delta Flight 2983 and other aircraft shortly after departure, New York Post reported.
Delta said its flight crew responded according to their training, following guidance from the plane’s Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS).
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people,” a Delta spokesperson said. “That’s why the flight crew followed procedures to maneuver the aircraft as instructed.”
The flight had 131 passengers, two pilots, and three flight attendants on board.
The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident, while the NTSB said it is currently gathering information but has not yet formally opened its own inquiry.
