[aviation news]
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating a loss of separation incident that occurred between DRAGO61, a flight of four U.S. Air Force T-38s, and Delta Air Lines Flight 2983, an Airbus A319. The near miss happened approximately 0.6 miles south of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA) at about 3:16 p.m. EDT.
This incident occurred on March 28, around two months after the deadly midair collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a CRJ-700, killing all 67 on both aircraft.
According to the NTSB’s preliminary report published Thursday, DRAGO61 was en route to conduct an aerial flyby at Arlington National Cemetery while Delta Flight 2983 was departing from KDCA. At their closest point, the aircraft came within 0.64 nm horizontally and 100 feet vertically of each other.
“Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the incident,” the agency report stated.
Weather at the time included 10-mile visibility with an overcast ceiling at 11,000 feet and winds from 180 degrees at 6 knots.
The Potomac Consolidated Terminal Radar Approach Control (PCT TRACON) operations supervisor had instructed the KDCA Air Traffic Control Tower to stop all departures at a “hard time” of 3:17 p.m. However, the controller in charge at Reagan interpreted this as a directive to stop departures at 3:17 p.m., not immediately.
Consequently, KDCA controllers continued to clear aircraft for takeoff, including Delta Flight 2983 at 3:15 p.m., just minutes before the military formation was scheduled to pass through the area.
The NTSB report detailed the critical moment when controllers realized the conflict:
- At 3:15:22 p.m., the PCT TRACON operations supervisor called the KDCA controller in charge asking why they were departing aircraft.
- The controller-in-charge responded that the “hard stop” was at 3:17 p.m.
- By this time, Delta Flight 2983 was already in its takeoff roll and could not be stopped.
The situation was resolved when DRAGO61 visually identified the Delta jet and maintained visual separation, following instructions from ATC to climb to 5,000 feet and adjust course when able.
Neither aircraft reported damage, and no injuries were reported among passengers or crew members on either flight.
The NTSB has formed an Air Traffic Control investigative group with parties to the investigation including the FAA, National Air Traffic Controllers Association, and U.S. Air Force. Investigators are analyzing ADS-B data, audio recordings, and other documentation obtained from the FAA.
During the week of March 30, 2025, the investigative team conducted on-site investigations and interviewed personnel at both KDCA Air Traffic Control Tower and TRACON.
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