forced to halt its climb Friday after a close encounter with a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker that crossed directly into its flight path, narrowly avoiding what the pilot described as a potential midair collision. The aircraft, operating as JetBlue Flight 1112 and bound for New York’s JFK airport, was still ascending when the military plane appeared at the same altitude just a few miles ahead. In communications with air traffic control, the JetBlue pilot expressed alarm, saying the tanker passed directly in front of the jet and did not appear to have its transponder activated, making it difficult to detect. The pilot said the sudden maneuver required the crew to immediately stop the aircraft’s climb to maintain safe separation.
The incident occurred in airspace near Venezuela, a region that has seen increased U.S. military activity tied to drug interdiction operations and broader regional security efforts. According to the pilot, after the near-miss, the Air Force tanker continued on a path that appeared to take it into Venezuelan airspace. JetBlue later confirmed the incident had been reported to federal authorities and said the airline would cooperate fully with any investigation, emphasizing that its flight crews are trained to respond quickly to unexpected and potentially dangerous situations. The close call also comes amid heightened caution for flights operating near Venezuela, where airlines have been advised to remain vigilant due to elevated military activity and security concerns in and around the country.