JetBlue Flight Safely Avoids Near Mid-Air Collision With U.S. Air Force Jet

Post by : Saif Nasser

A JetBlue passenger aircraft narrowly avoided a mid-air collision with a U.S. Air Force jet near Venezuela, raising serious questions about air safety and coordination between military and civilian flights.

The incident occurred on Friday when JetBlue Flight 1112 was traveling from Curacao to New York. The Airbus A320 was flying about 40 miles off the Venezuelan coast when its pilots suddenly encountered a U.S. Air Force tanker aircraft at the same altitude and very close distance.

According to recordings from air traffic control, the military aircraft did not have its transponder switched on. A transponder helps other planes and air traffic controllers track an aircraft’s position. Without it, the Air Force jet was harder to detect, increasing the risk of collision.

The JetBlue pilot told air traffic controllers that the military jet passed directly through the plane’s flight path. The pilot said the aircraft then entered Venezuelan airspace and described the situation as nearly resulting in a mid-air crash. To avoid disaster, the JetBlue crew quickly took evasive action and changed course.

JetBlue later confirmed the incident and praised its crew for acting quickly and professionally. The airline said safety is its highest priority and that the crew followed all required procedures. JetBlue also reported the incident to federal authorities and said it would cooperate fully with any investigation.

The near miss has drawn strong reactions from U.S. lawmakers. Senator Ted Cruz pointed out that the incident comes after a deadly crash in January, when an Army helicopter collided with a passenger plane near Washington, D.C., killing 67 people. That military aircraft was also not using advanced tracking technology at the time.

Senator Maria Cantwell also raised concerns, saying it is unacceptable for military and commercial aircraft to operate in the same airspace without sharing location information. She said better systems are needed to prevent close calls like this one.

Both senators are pushing to strengthen rules that require military aircraft to use ADS-B, an advanced tracking system that broadcasts a plane’s position. They oppose any move to weaken these safety rules, especially in busy or sensitive airspace.

The U.S. military said it is aware of the incident and is reviewing what happened. U.S. Southern Command stated that its aircrews are highly trained and that safety remains a top priority. Officials said they are examining the facts through proper channels.

The incident happened during a period of increased U.S. military activity in the southern Caribbean. Tensions in the region have grown as the United States increases pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. This has led to more military operations and higher risks for civilian flights.

The Federal Aviation Administration had already warned airlines about potential dangers when flying near Venezuelan airspace. Several major airlines have reduced or stopped flights in the area due to rising security concerns.

This close call highlights the risks of military and civilian aircraft sharing the skies without clear communication and tracking. While tragedy was avoided, aviation experts say stronger coordination and strict safety rules are needed to prevent future incidents.

The JetBlue incident serves as a reminder that air safety depends on reliable technology, clear rules, and cooperation—especially in regions with high military activity.