US EditionJetBlue Flight Near Venezuela Avoids ‘Midair Collision’ with US Air Force Tanker
JetBlue Flight 1112 halted ascent to avoid a near-miss with a U.S. Air Force tanker lacking a transponder, passing 2-5 miles ahead, amid increased U.S. military activity in the Caribbean.
- On Friday, JetBlue Flight 2 halted its ascent after a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker crossed its path at the same altitude, the pilot said.
- U.S. military activity in the Caribbean has intensified as drug interdiction operations increase pressure on Venezuela's government, while the JetBlue flight departed Curaçao en route to New York City's JFK airport.
- Recorded exchanges detail the proximity as within five miles, maybe two or three miles, with the JetBlue pilot saying, `We almost had a midair collision up here` near a U.S. Air Force air-to-air refueler.
- Derek Dombrowski, JetBlue spokesman, said Sunday the airline reported the incident to federal authorities and will cooperate with any investigation, while the Pentagon referred inquiries to the U.S. Air Force, which did not immediately respond.
- The FAA last month warned U.S. aircraft to exercise caution in Venezuelan airspace due to heightened military activity, and an air traffic controller said, `It has been outrageous with the unidentified aircraft within our air.
159 Articles
159 Articles
JetBlue pilot calls Air Force near-miss 'outrageous' after tanker crosses flight path
A JetBlue plane narrowly avoided a midair collision with a U.S. Air Force jet near Venezuela on Friday, an incident which the pilot described as "outrageous."JetBlue Flight 1112, an Airbus A320 en route to New York from the Caribbean nation of Curaçao, was roughly 20 minutes into its flight when it encountered a U.S. Air Force tanker north of Curaçao.The tanker reportedly flew directly into JetBlue's flight path, prompting the passenger plane to…
U.S. Air Force Tanker Narrowly Misses Passenger Jet Near Venezuela.
PULSE POINTSWHAT HAPPENED: A U.S. Air Force refueling tanker failed to communicate its position, narrowly avoiding a collision with a commercial JetBlue flight.WHO WAS INVOLVED: JetBlue Flight 1112, the U.S. Air Force, Curaçao air traffic control, U.S. Southern Command, and Venezuelan authorities.WHEN & WHERE: Friday, approximately 20 minutes after JetBlue Flight 1112 departed from Curaçao, about 40 miles off Venezuela’s coast.KEY QUOTE: “They d…
U.S. Air Force Aircraft Involved In Midair Scare Near Venezuela
U.S. Southern Command is reviewing a tense midair incident in which a JetBlue passenger jet and a U.S. Air Force aircraft came dangerously close near Venezuelan airspace on Friday, according to air traffic control audio. The near miss unfolded as the JetBlue flight was traveling from Curaçao, just off the coast of Venezuela, to New York City when the crew spotted an Air Force tanker crossing its path. In a statement, U.S. Southern Command said m…
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