Near-Miss Over DC: Delta Flight and Air Force Jet Avoid Collision Near Reagan National

Incident: Delta Air Lines Flight 2983, an Airbus A319 bound for Minneapolis-St. Paul with 131 passengers and 5 crew members, encountered a "loss of separation" with a USAF T-38 Talon jet shortly after takeoff from DCA around 3:15 p.m. ET.

Military Aircraft Context: The T-38 was one of four Air Force jets inbound for a planned flyover at nearby Arlington National Cemetery.

Safety Systems Activated: The Delta aircraft's Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) issued a "resolution advisory," prompting the flight crew to take corrective maneuvers as per standard procedures. Air traffic controllers also issued instructions to both aircraft.

Investigation Underway: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed it is investigating the incident. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is aware and gathering information.

Why this matters: This incident starkly highlights the ongoing challenges and risks in managing congested airspace, particularly where commercial and military flights intersect. While safety systems like TCAS proved effective here, the near-miss underscores the thin margins for error and occurs despite recent heightened awareness following a fatal crash in the same vicinity, raising questions about the sufficiency of current safety protocols.

Q: What exactly happened near Reagan National Airport?

A: On March 28, 2025, a Delta Air Lines passenger jet taking off nearly collided with a U.S. Air Force T-38 jet. An onboard collision avoidance system alerted the Delta pilots, who maneuvered the aircraft safely, aided by air traffic control instructions.

Q: Why was an Air Force jet so close to a passenger plane?

A: The Air Force jet was part of a formation of four T-38s scheduled to perform a flyover at Arlington National Cemetery, which is near the airport.

Q: How serious was the incident?

A: It was serious enough to trigger automated collision warnings and require evasive action. The FAA classifies such events as a "loss of separation" and is investigating. It occurred in an area already under scrutiny following a fatal crash earlier in the year.

The airspace around major airports like DCA is incredibly complex, requiring constant vigilance and sophisticated management.

Automated safety systems (TCAS) are vital layers of protection in preventing mid-air collisions.

Near-miss incidents serve as critical learning opportunities for regulators (FAA, NTSB) to refine procedures and enhance safety.

Integrating different types of air traffic (commercial, military, general aviation) safely remains a significant challenge in busy terminal areas.

Source 1: Delta plane, Air Force jet nearly crash in 'loss of separation' during Arlington National Cemetery flyover | Fox News

Source 2: Collision warning sounds in cockpit of Delta plane due to close call with Air Force jet near Reagan National Airport | CNN

Source 3: Close call reported between Delta flight and Air Force jet near Reagan National | NBC News