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A JetBlue flight narrowly avoided a collision with a US Air Force One plane over Venezuela on Friday, an incident the pilot described as “horrific.”
JetBlue Flight 1112, an Airbus A320 en route to New York from the Caribbean nation of Curaçao, was about 20 minutes into the flight when it collided with a US Air Force aircraft carrier north of Curaçao.
The plane reportedly flew directly into the path of the JetBlue flight, prompting the airliner to “take evasive action to avoid separation from the tanker,” the Aviation Safety Network said.
According to the record taken by LiveATC.neta JetBlue pilot called the incident “outrageous,” noting that the military plane did not have a working transponder, an electronic device that allows air traffic control to accurately track the plane. Without it, the plane cannot be detected on radar.
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A JetBlue flight approaches Newark Liberty Airport at sunset on Aug. 2, 2020. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)
“They passed directly in our flight path,” the pilot said. “They didn’t turn on their transponder. It’s weird.”
The pilot identified the plane as a military aircraft and said it crossed their path at a distance of two to three miles.
““It was an air-to-air refueling company from the United States Air Force, and it was in our area,” the pilot said.
The air traffic controller confirmed in the recording that they also did not see anything on their radar.
“Yes, I have nothing … you are right sir,” said the controller.
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The US Air Force Kc-135, an air-to-air refueler, enters service on March 26, 1999. (Usaf)
The pilot reported that the Air Force plane then entered Venezuelan airspace.
This incident happened as the United States has strengthened a large number of troops in the southern Caribbean, while President Donald Trump is campaigning to overthrow the Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
The US Southern Command told Fox News Digital on Monday that it is aware of the incident and is reviewing the matter.
“We are aware of the latest report about the operation of US military aircraft in the Caribbean and we are currently reviewing this matter,” said Col. Emanuel L. Ortiz, public affairs officer at the US Southern Command. “Military flight crews are highly trained professionals who operate in accordance with established procedures and applicable airspace requirements. Safety remains a priority, and we are working through the appropriate channels to investigate the facts surrounding this situation.”
Tensions between Venezuela and the US continue to escalate as Trump threatens to seize Venezuelan oil tankers. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via Reuters; Brian Snyder/Reuters)
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JetBlue told Fox News Digital on Monday that the company’s top priority is safety.
“Our employees are trained in the proper procedures for various flight situations, and we thank our employees for promptly reporting this situation to our management team,” JetBlue said. “We have reported the incident to federal authorities and will participate in any investigation.”
Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration notified airlines of a “potentially dangerous situation” when flying near Venezuela, citing a military escalation and deteriorating security as tensions rise amid Trump’s threats to strike the country.
