Anna Hartz
Commercial air travel depends on clear communication, shared airspace rules, and trust between civilian and military pilots.
When those systems fail, even briefly, the risks rise fast. That reality came into focus after a serious aviation incident near northern South America that is now under review by US authorities.
Heading to New York
A JetBlue passenger plane narrowly avoided a midair collision with a United States Air Force tanker aircraft near Venezuela, reports Digi24. The incident is being investigated by US Southern Command. The JetBlue flight had departed from the island of Curaçao and was heading to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York.
Shortly after takeoff, the commercial jet stopped its climb. The crew took this action to avoid another aircraft that had entered its flight path. That aircraft was later identified as a US Air Force air to air refueling plane flying at the same altitude.
The exact distance between the two planes remains unclear. The Air Force aircraft did not have its transponder turned on. A transponder sends position and altitude data to air traffic controllers and nearby aircraft. Without it, tracking becomes far more difficult.
In audio released from the cockpit, the JetBlue pilot described the moment in blunt terms. He said the military plane crossed directly in front of them. He estimated the distance at between four and eight kilometers. He also said the Air Force plane later turned toward Venezuelan airspace.
No One Injured
JetBlue confirmed that the crew reported the incident to airline management after landing. The company said it will take part in any official investigation. No passengers were injured and the flight continued safely.
The US Air Force acknowledged the incident in a statement to CBS News. A spokesperson said the service is aware of the situation and is reviewing what happened. The statement said military pilots follow established procedures and that safety remains a top priority.
The close call comes at a sensitive time for aviation in the region. Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration warned US aircraft to use extra caution near Venezuelan airspace. The agency pointed to growing security concerns and increased military activity in the area.
Investigators will now work to determine how the two aircraft came so close. They will also assess whether procedures were followed and what changes may be needed to prevent a similar incident in the future.
Sources: Digi24
