A JetBlue flight maneuvered to avoid a mid-air collision with a U.S. military aircraft near Venezuela on Friday.
According to Reuters, JetBlue Flight 1112 had departed Curaçao and was flying about 40 miles off the coast of Venezuela when it encountered a U.S. Air Force KC-135 tanker airplane. The aircraft was flying within a few miles of the JetBlue A320 and at the same altitude, and was not broadcasting its position.
“They passed directly in our flight path,” a JetBlue pilot said in an air traffic control recording reviewed by Reuters. “They don’t have their transponder turned on. It’s outrageous.”
As the tanker continued into Venezuelan airspace, the pilot said, “We almost had a mid-air collision up here.”
In a statement, JetBlue said the safety of its passengers and crew is its top priority.
“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,” the airline said. “We have reported this incident to federal authorities and will participate in any investigation.”
Military Build-Up
A spokesperson for U.S. Southern Command confirmed the military is looking into the matter and will “assess the facts surrounding the situation.”
The near miss comes as the White House continues its military build-up in the Caribbean. There are believed to be about 15,000 troops in the region, stationed in Puerto Rico and on U.S. Navy vessels. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier ever built, arrived in the area in November.
As part of Operation Southern Spear, the Trump administration is targeting alleged drug trafficking boats operating off the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia. Some national security experts believe the long-term goal is to overthrow the government of Venezuela, which has had a strained relationship with Washington for years. The U.S. Defense Department asserts that the Venezuelan government facilitates the drug trade.
Last month, the FAA warned carriers flying over Venezuela to exercise increased caution due to the “worsening security situation” there. Several airlines, including Spain’s Iberia and Brazil’s GOL, canceled flights in the region as a result.
