A JetBlue passenger plane flying to New York had to take evasive action to avoid a potentially horrific mid-air collision with a US Air Force plane near Venezuela. JetBlue Flight 1112, which had taken off from Curaçao on Friday, was around 40 miles off the Venezuelan coast when it encountered the Air Force jet, which had reportedly not activated its transponder.
The Air Force pilot was within a few miles of the plane and at the same altitude, the JetBlue pilot stated in the recording. They said: « They passed directly in our flight path. We just had traffic pass directly in front of us within five miles of us, maybe two or three 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. The pilot also said: « They don’t have their transponder turned on. It’s outrageous. » The Air Force jet then entered Venezuelan airspace, the JetBlue pilot reported. They added: « We almost had a mid-air collision up here. »
On Monday, a JetBlue spokesperson emphasised that the company’s top priority is safety.
They said: « Our crew members are trained on proper procedures for various flight situations, and we appreciate our crew for promptly reporting this situation to our leadership team.
« We have reported this incident to federal authorities and will participate in any investigation. »
This comes amidst a significant military buildup by the US in the southern Caribbean, as Donald Trump campaigns to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
On Monday, the US Southern Command issued a statement that the military is aware of the incident and currently reviewing it.
They emphasised that their « aircrews are highly trained professionals who operate in accordance with established procedures and applicable airspace requirements ».
They added: « Safety remains a top priority, and we are working through the appropriate channels to assess the facts surrounding the situation. »
Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a warning to major airlines about a « potentially hazardous situation » when flying over Venezuela, urging them to exercise caution.
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