- Delta Flight 2983 aborted takeoff after onboard collision alert
- Four Air Force T-38 Talons diverted from Arlington Cemetery flyover
- FAA controllers issued emergency instructions to both aircraft
- No injuries reported in latest aviation near-miss incident
A routine afternoon departure from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport turned critical on Friday when Delta Air Lines Flight 2983 received urgent diversion orders moments before takeoff. The Airbus A319, carrying over 130 passengers and five crew members, had been cleared for departure at 3:15 p.m. local time when air traffic controllers detected conflicting flight paths with four incoming U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon trainer jets.
The military aircraft, en route to perform a ceremonial flyover at Arlington National Cemetery, entered restricted airspace as the Delta flight began its takeoff roll. Advanced Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) onboard both aircraft triggered simultaneous alerts, prompting immediate corrective action from controllers. Aviation experts note this marks the third such incident at major East Coast airports in 2024 alone.
Regional Impact: A 2022 near-miss at Chicago O’Hare involving an American Airlines 737 and cargo plane revealed similar controller workload challenges. The NTSB subsequently mandated additional staffing at high-traffic TRACON facilities, though implementation remains incomplete at Reagan National’s Potomac Consolidated facility.
Industry data shows a 17% increase in runway incursions since 2020, with congested airspace around military memorial sites presenting unique coordination challenges. The FAA’s ongoing Metroplex modernization program aims to address these issues through optimized flight paths, but Friday’s incident suggests critical gaps remain.
Delta confirmed Flight 2983 returned safely to the gate following the aborted takeoff, with passengers rebooked on later flights. Military officials emphasized the T-38 Talons maintained safe separation distances throughout the incident, though both civilian and military pilots acknowledged the severity of the potential collision scenario.
