On March 28, 2025, a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 narrowly avoided a midair collision with a U.S. Air Force T-38 jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Delta Flight 2983, carrying 131 passengers and crew, had just departed DCA en route to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport when the aircraft’s onboard alert system detected a nearby aircraft. Air traffic controllers promptly issued corrective instructions to both planes, ensuring they maintained safe separation.
The T-38 jet was part of a formation of four military aircraft conducting a flyover at Arlington National Cemetery. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident.
This near miss occurred nearly two months after a fatal midair collision near the same airport, involving a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines flight, which resulted in 67 fatalities.
Senator Amy Klobuchar has expressed concern over the incident, highlighting the need for stringent safety protocols when military and commercial flights operate in close proximity.
The FAA continues to assess safety measures and flight regulations in the busy airspace surrounding Washington, D.C., to prevent future occurrences.
