(LibertySociety.com) – A U.S. Air Force tanker operating without transponder nearly caused a catastrophic midair collision with a commercial JetBlue flight carrying passengers near Venezuelan airspace, exposing dangerous military operational practices that put American civilians at risk.
Story Highlights
- JetBlue Flight 1112 crew forced to halt climb to avoid collision with invisible Air Force tanker
- Military aircraft operated without transponder, making it undetectable to air traffic control systems
- Incident occurred during heightened U.S. military operations near Venezuela in December 2019
- Air traffic controllers reported pattern of unidentified military aircraft creating safety hazards
Military Aircraft Endangers Commercial Flight
On December 12, 2019, JetBlue Flight 1112 departed Curaçao bound for New York JFK when disaster nearly struck. Approximately 15 minutes after takeoff, while climbing to 35,000 feet, the Airbus A320’s crew encountered a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker crossing directly through their flight path at the same altitude. The commercial pilots were forced to immediately halt their climb to avoid what they described as an “almost midair collision.”
The JetBlue crew’s urgent radio transmission captured the severity of the situation: “We almost had a mid-air collision up here… They passed directly in our flight path… They don’t have their transponder turned on, it’s outrageous.” This lack of transponder made the military aircraft completely invisible to both air traffic control radar and the commercial aircraft’s collision avoidance systems, creating a deadly blind spot that could have resulted in hundreds of casualties.
Pattern of Military Recklessness Exposed
The incident revealed systemic problems with U.S. military aviation practices in civilian airspace. Curaçao air traffic control’s response was telling, with the controller stating “It has been outrageous with the unidentified aircraft within our air.” This suggests the near-miss was not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern of military aircraft operating without proper coordination or safety protocols in busy commercial flight corridors.
The military tanker’s trajectory toward Venezuelan airspace after the encounter raises additional concerns about operational security and adherence to international aviation standards. While the Air Force claimed their crews are “highly trained professionals” following established procedures, the evidence suggests otherwise. Operating without transponder in mixed civilian-military airspace violates basic safety principles that protect American travelers and undermines confidence in military professionalism.
Government Accountability Questions Remain
Despite JetBlue’s proper reporting to federal authorities and the Air Force’s acknowledgment of reviewing the matter, no public enforcement action or procedural changes resulted from this dangerous incident. The FAA had already issued warnings about Venezuelan airspace due to “heightened military activity,” yet military operations continued to create additional hazards for American commercial aviation rather than enhancing security.
This incident highlights the need for stronger oversight of military operations that intersect with civilian aviation. American passengers and crews deserve better protection from their own government’s reckless operational practices. The fact that this near-catastrophe was prevented only by alert commercial pilots rather than proper military coordination demonstrates concerning gaps in interagency safety protocols that must be addressed to prevent future tragedies.
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