In the skies near the Venezuelan coast, a potential aerial disaster was narrowly averted last Friday. A JetBlue flight en route from Curaçao to New York City had a close encounter with a U.S. military aircraft, sparking concerns and prompting investigations from both airline and military officials.
The incident involved JetBlue Flight 1112, which was flying from the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao to John F. Kennedy International Airport. As it approached Venezuelan airspace on December 12, the commercial plane nearly found itself on a collision course with a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker. The collision was narrowly avoided, but not without causing significant alarm among those on board.
A Pledge for Safety
JetBlue and the U.S. military have both committed to investigating the incident thoroughly. “Safety is our top priority,” a JetBlue spokesperson told Military.com. The airline has reported the incident to federal authorities and stands ready to participate fully in any ensuing investigation.
The Pentagon directed inquiries to the U.S. Southern Command, which acknowledged awareness of the incident and stated, “We are aware of the recent reporting regarding U.S. military aircraft operations in the Caribbean and are currently reviewing the matter.” They emphasized that their aircrews are highly trained and operate under strict safety protocols.
The Airspace Incident
Details from air traffic control communications and recordings obtained by CNN and other outlets reveal the JetBlue pilot’s distress during the event. The pilot accused the military aircraft of crossing directly into their flight path without a transponder signal, describing the situation as “outrageous.”
The pilot reported, “We just had traffic pass directly in front of us within 5 miles of us—maybe 2 or 3 miles—but it was an air-to-air refueler from the United States Air Force and he was at our altitude. We had to stop our climb.” After the near-miss, the military aircraft reportedly continued into Venezuelan airspace.
The FAA, while not directly involved in overseas air traffic control, had previously issued a warning in November advising pilots to maintain “extreme caution” due to the escalating security situation in and around Venezuela. This advisory applies to all aircraft at various altitudes, emphasizing the need for vigilance during flights in the region.
