WASHINGTON-A JetBlue pilot reported a close call with a U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft on Friday, saying the commercial jet narrowly avoided a potential midair collision after the military plane crossed its flight path without transmitting its location.
In audio shared with air traffic controllers and obtained by ABC News, the pilot warned, “We almost had a midair collision,” adding that the aircraft passed directly in front of them without an active transponder, calling the situation “outrageous.”
The incident involved JetBlue Flight 1112, which was traveling from Curaçao, a Dutch Caribbean island near Venezuela, to New York’s JFK Airport. According to the report, the refueling tanker entered the same airspace at the same altitude, crossing directly ahead of the JetBlue aircraft at a distance of less than five miles.
The U.S. Southern Command acknowledged awareness of reports concerning U.S. military aircraft operations in the Caribbean and confirmed that the matter is under review.
“Military flight crews are extensively trained and operate under strict airspace and safety protocols,” the command said in a statement. “Safety remains our highest priority, and we are evaluating the circumstances surrounding this incident through appropriate channels.”
JetBlue also confirmed that it has notified federal aviation authorities and will cooperate fully with any investigation.
“Our pilots are trained to handle a wide range of flight situations, and we commend the crew for immediately reporting the incident through proper procedures,” a JetBlue spokesperson said.
The near-miss comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela, following recent Pentagon air operations in the Caribbean reportedly aimed at disrupting drug trafficking activities.
Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an advisory urging U.S. aircraft operators to exercise increased caution when flying in or near Venezuelan airspace, citing growing security concerns and elevated military activity in the region.
