A potentially catastrophic aviation incident involving a US Air Force refueling tanker and a JetBlue commercial flight is under formal investigation after the aircraft came dangerously close to colliding near Venezuelan airspace. The event occurred when the passenger jet, en route from Curaçao to New York’s JFK International Airport, was forced to abruptly halt its ascent to avoid the military aircraft.
According to audio recordings from the cockpit, the JetBlue pilot reported the military aircraft passed directly through their flight path at identical altitude with an estimated separation of just two to five miles. The situation was critically exacerbated by the Air Force tanker’s transponder being deactivated, preventing air traffic control from tracking its position accurately. “We almost had a midair collision up here,” the pilot stated. “They passed directly in our flight path… They don’t have their transponder turned on, it’s outrageous.”
The incident has prompted responses from multiple agencies. US Southern Command confirmed the near-miss is under review, while JetBlue acknowledged in an official statement that their crew reported the incident to airline leadership and pledged full cooperation with any investigation. An Air Force spokesperson told CBS News that while they are aware of the incident, military aircrews are “highly trained professionals who operate in accordance with established procedures and applicable airspace requirements.”
This alarming encounter occurs against a backdrop of heightened aviation security concerns. The Federal Aviation Administration issued an official warning last month urging US aircraft to “exercise caution” in Venezuelan airspace due to “worsening security situation and heightened military activity” in the region. The incident raises significant questions about military-civilian airspace coordination and protocol compliance during operations in sensitive geopolitical zones.