A Delta passenger plane almost crashed into a U.S. Air Force jet near Reagan National Airport. The Delta Flight near the airport had 137 passengers and was heading to Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Just minutes after takeoff, alarms went off in the cockpit, warning the pilots about another aircraft nearby. The close call happened south of the airport, not far from where an American Airlines jet crashed into a military helicopter in January, killing 67 people. Flight tracking data showed that the Air Force jet flew past the Delta plane at over 350 miles per hour. The situation was dangerous and could have ended in disaster.
Military Jets Were in the Area for a Flyover
The FAA reported that the Air Force jet was flying in a group of four planes. They were preparing for a flyover at Arlington National Cemetery. During air traffic control communication, a Delta pilot asked if an aircraft was just 500 feet below them. The air traffic controller confirmed this, making the situation even more alarming. The FAA later announced they would investigate the incident involving the Delta Flight near Reagan National. They explained that the Delta plane received an alert about the nearby aircraft, and air traffic controllers quickly gave instructions to both planes to avoid a crash.
Delta and Government Officials React to the Scare
Delta Airlines released a statement after the incident. They said that safety is their highest priority and that they will fully cooperate with the investigation. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota reacted strongly. She posted on social media, calling the situation “unbelievably dangerous.” She questioned why military jets were flying so close to a passenger plane full of people heading to her state. This Delta Flight near the airport raised significant concerns. Many passengers and officials are now demanding answers and better safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Report Shows Many More Near-Miss Incidents Have Happened
Recently, lawmakers held a hearing about the increasing number of near misses between military and passenger planes at Reagan National. A report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed shocking details. Between October 2021 and December 2024, there were 15,214 incidents where aircraft received alerts about being too close to another aircraft. The report also found that 85 cases involved two aircraft coming within 1,500 feet laterally and just 200 feet vertically. These numbers raise serious concerns about safety in U.S. airspace. The Delta Flight near Reagan National is not an isolated case.
Air Traffic Control Staff Shortages Are a Growing Problem
One major issue is the shortage of air traffic controllers at Reagan National. When the deadly January crash happened, only one controller was monitoring both helicopter and plane traffic. Normally, two people handle those tasks until 9:30 p.m. But that night, a supervisor combined the duties early and let one controller leave. For years, Reagan National has struggled with not having enough air traffic controllers. In September 2023, only 19 fully certified controllers were working there. The target number was 30. However, a recent report suggested some improvement, with 24 out of 28 positions now filled. Still, staffing shortages continue to be a problem.
Stress and Chaos Inside the Reagan National Control Tower
Tensions are running high among air traffic controllers. On Thursday, a fight broke out between two controllers while they were on duty. The argument turned physical, and blood was seen on a control console. A source described the situation as “out of control” and said stress levels had been high since the deadly January crash. Air traffic controllers play a crucial role in preventing disasters. When they are overworked and stressed, mistakes can happen, putting passengers at risk. This incident adds to the concerns about Reagan National’s overall safety situation.
More Plane Crashes and Emergency Landings This Year
This near miss is just one of many aviation incidents in 2024. Shortly after the January crash at Reagan National, a twin-engine jet crashed in Pennsylvania, killing six people. In February, a Delta plane crash-landed upside down in Toronto. Everyone survived, but passengers were trapped in their seats, hanging upside down until they were able to evacuate. These recent incidents highlight ongoing issues in aviation safety.
Experts Call for Better Safety Measures to Prevent More Accidents
With so many near-misses and crashes, safety concerns are growing. Aviation experts and government officials are looking into these incidents to find ways to prevent future disasters. Many travelers and airline workers are calling for stronger safety measures, better air traffic control management, and improved communication between military and passenger flights. As investigations continue, passengers hope for changes that will make flying safer for everyone
