New York, December 15 - A JetBlue pilot narrowly avoided a midair collision with a US Air Force refueling tanker near Venezuela on Friday, highlighting growing concerns over aviation safety in the Caribbean amid heightened military activity. The incident occurred as JetBlue Flight B6-1112, en route from Curaçao to New York’s JFK Airport, was climbing shortly after takeoff. The commercial Airbus A320 (Reg. N809JB) abruptly halted its ascent when the military aircraft crossed directly in front of it at the same altitude, estimated by the pilot to be within 2 to 5 miles. The US Air Force tanker, operating without its transponder activated, was not visible on radar or to traffic collision avoidance systems, prompting the pilot to report the near miss to air traffic control as an "outrageous" close call.
The near collision unfolded in international airspace off the Venezuelan coast, where US military operations have intensified recently as part of counter-narcotics efforts and pressure on Venezuela's government. The Federal Aviation Administration had issued a cautionary advisory last month, urging US aircraft to exercise extreme care due to deteriorating security and increased military presence in the region. Air traffic controllers acknowledged ongoing issues with unidentified aircraft, underscoring the risks posed by non-transponding military flights sharing busy commercial routes.
JetBlue confirmed it reported the incident to federal authorities and will cooperate fully with any investigation, emphasizing that its crews are rigorously trained for such scenarios. The flight resumed its climb minutes later and landed safely in New York without further issues. US Southern Command stated it is reviewing the matter, with safety as a priority.
This midair near miss involving a JetBlue passenger jet and a US military tanker raises critical questions about coordination between civilian and military aviation in tense geopolitical hotspots. As operations escalate in the Caribbean, experts stress the need for enhanced protocols to prevent future close calls that could endanger commercial flights and passengers.
