FAA Investigates Close Call Between Delta Plane and Military Jet at Reagan National

Close Call at Reagan National Airport

• ⚠️ An Air Force T38 jet and a Delta flight 2983 experienced a close call near Reagan National Airport on Friday.
• ✈️ The Delta Airbus A319, carrying 136 people, had just taken off when the military jet, heading towards Arlington National Cemetery, approached too closely.
• 📏 Preliminary data indicates the aircraft were approximately 6,000 ft apart laterally with a vertical separation of 275 ft at their closest point.

Safety Concerns and Investigations

• 🚨 The incident triggered a collision warning inside the Delta cockpit, prompting an FAA investigation.
• 💥 This event follows a deadly mid-air collision in January involving an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter at the same airport.
• 📈 The NTSB has identified at least 85 extreme close calls at Reagan National Airport over the last three years.

Air Traffic System Modernization

• 🏛️ Senators questioned the Federal Aviation Administration and the Army about the accidents on Capitol Hill.
• 🛠️ The FAA implemented a new safety system on Thursday to broadcast military aircraft positions around Washington D.C.
• ❓ It remains unclear if the military jet involved in Friday's incident was utilizing this new safety system.