A US Air Force refueling tanker plane almost collided with a JetBlue aircraft when it got in its path, according to the report of the pilot of the flight from Curacao.
“We almost had a mid-air collision,” the JetBlue pilot said, according to a recording of his conversation with air traffic control. “They passed directly into our flight path… They don’t have the transponder on, it’s scandalous.”
The incident involved JetBlue Flight 1112 from Curacao, which is located just off the coast of Venezuela, bound for John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.
The commander reported that the military plane appeared less than five miles away, at the same altitude, forcing the commercial aircraft to slow its climb. Subsequently, the Air Force device headed towards Venezuelan airspace.
JetBlue spokesman Derek Dombrowski confirmed Sunday that the incident was reported to federal authorities and that the airline will cooperate in any investigation.
“Our crew members are trained in the proper procedures for various flight situations, and we appreciate that our crew quickly reported this situation to our leadership team,” he said.
International media agree in highlighting that the episode occurs amid the intensification of US drug interdiction operations in the Caribbean and growing pressure on the Venezuelan government.
Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a warning to U.S. aircraft to use extreme caution in Venezuelan airspace due to deteriorating security and increased military activity in the area.
