Air Force Jet and Delta Plane Almost Collide During Arlington Flyover – Close Call at DCA" This version keeps the key details (Delta plane, Air

# **Near-Miss Horror: Delta Plane and Air Force Jet Nearly Collide Over D.C.**

A terrifying close call shook the skies near Washington, D.C., as a **Delta Air Lines passenger jet** and an **Air Force C-17 Globemaster** nearly collided while approaching Reagan National Airport (DCA). The incident occurred during a **flyover for Arlington National Cemetery**, raising serious questions about air traffic control protocols.

## **How the Near-Collision Unfolded**

According to reports, the following events led to the **heart-stopping moment**:

- **Delta Flight DL-1773**, an Airbus A321, was descending toward Reagan National Airport after departing from Atlanta.
- Simultaneously, an **Air Force C-17 Globemaster** was conducting a **flyover mission** for a military funeral at Arlington National Cemetery.
- The two aircraft came dangerously close, prompting an **urgent automated warning** from their **Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)**.
- The Delta jet was forced to **execute evasive maneuvers**, climbing sharply to avoid disaster.

### **Shocking Proximity: A Matter of Seconds**

Initial reports indicate the planes were **just 500 feet apart vertically**—far below the **required minimum separation** for aircraft in controlled airspace. The **National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)** has since launched an investigation into the incident.

## **Why This Incident Is Alarming**

This near-miss raises **critical concerns** about:

1. **Air Traffic Control Coordination** – Did controllers fail to account for the flyover mission?
2. **Military and Civilian Airspace Management** – Are there gaps in communication between the FAA and the Air Force?
3. **TCAS Reliability** – While the system worked this time, was human error or technology at fault?

## **Previous Close Calls at DCA**

Reagan National is one of the **most tightly controlled airports in the U.S.**, yet this isn’t the first close call:

- **2023:** A Southwest jet and a Cessna nearly collided on the runway.
- **2022:** A JetBlue flight had to abort landing due to another plane on the runway.

## **What Happens Next?**

The **FAA** and **NTSB** are reviewing air traffic control recordings and radar data to determine what went wrong. Meanwhile, Delta Airlines has stated they are **fully cooperating** with investigators.

### **What Do You Think?**
- **Should military flyovers near busy airports be restricted?**
- **Is the FAA doing enough to prevent near-misses?**
- **Could AI-assisted air traffic control prevent such incidents?**
- **Are pilots relying too much on collision avoidance systems?**

This incident serves as a **sobering reminder** of the razor-thin margins for error in aviation. Stay tuned as **Breaking Now News (BNN)** brings you the latest developments.

**Sound off in the comments—do you feel safe flying into DCA?**