Delta flight narrowly escapes collision with US Air Force jet at Reagan National Airport

Express Tribune

29-03-2025

A near-miss at Reagan National Airport has left many questioning the safety measures in place at one of the busiest airports in the U.S.
A Delta flight, carrying 137 passengers en route to Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, narrowly avoided a collision with a US Air Force jet just moments after taking off on March 28, 2025.
The close call unfolded when the Delta plane, departing from the airport, was alarmed by a nearby aircraft that flew dangerously close.
The incident took place south of the airport, near the same area where an American Airlines flight collided with an Army helicopter in January, resulting in a tragic loss of 67 lives.
According to data from FlightRadar 24, the Air Force jet, a T-38, flew past the Delta aircraft at an alarming speed of over 350 miles per hour.
A Delta flight departing Washington-DCA reported receiving a TCAS RA shortly after take off this afternoon. The Delta flight was in close proximity to a US Air Force T-38, which was flying north along the east bank of the Potomac. https://t.co/6Q1pMekOUR pic.twitter.com/3lMp2lAmo4
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 29, 2025
In a chilling exchange captured on air traffic control chatter via LiveATC.net, a Delta pilot asked, 'Was there an actual aircraft about 500 feet below us?' to which an air traffic controller responded, 'Affirmative.' The flight's onboard alarms rang as the T-38 jet came dangerously close to the commercial airliner.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a statement on March 28, 2025, confirming that they are investigating the incident. "The Delta aircraft received an onboard alert that another aircraft was nearby. Air traffic controllers issued corrective instructions to both aircraft,' the FAA said.
In response, Delta Airlines assured the public that safety is their top priority, stating, 'Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people. We will cooperate with regulators and aviation stakeholders in any review of this flight.'
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar voiced her concerns over the situation, posting on X, 'Unbelievably dangerous and thank God people are safe. My first call to Department of Defense tomorrow: why are your planes flying 500 feet below passenger jets full of Minnesotans headed from DCA to my state.'
This incident comes after a troubling series of aviation close calls at Reagan National Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently released data showing over 15,000 close encounters between aircraft between October 2021 and December 2024, sparking questions about air traffic control and safety protocols at the airport.
A deeper investigation into the Reagan National Airport staffing levels revealed that the airport has been struggling with understaffing issues. With just 19 fully certified controllers as of September 2023, the airport is well below the target of 30. The situation has reportedly improved, but it remains a concern for aviation safety experts.
In addition to the close call, reports surfaced of two air traffic controllers engaging in a violent physical altercation in the control tower, further highlighting the growing tension and stress at the airport following the January collision.
The safety of air travel has come under scrutiny with this close call, and authorities will be closely examining the procedures that allowed the near miss to happen at such a critical location.