A near mid-air collision occurred over Virginia on Friday when a Delta Airlines commercial jet and a U.S. Air Force aircraft came dangerously close during a scheduled flyover near Arlington National Cemetery.
The incident unfolded shortly after 10 a.m. local time as the Air Force plane was conducting a ceremonial flyover to honor a military funeral. At the same time, a Delta jet departing Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was climbing along its assigned flight path, unaware of the military aircraft’s approach.
According to preliminary reports from aviation officials, air traffic controllers issued an urgent course correction to the Delta pilot, who immediately altered the aircraft’s trajectory to avoid the oncoming Air Force plane. The two aircraft reportedly came within 1,000 feet horizontally of each other—well below the standard safety buffer required for military and civilian aviation operations.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Air Force have both launched investigations into the incident, reviewing radar data, flight logs, and communication records between pilots and control towers. Officials say a miscommunication may have contributed to the dangerously close encounter.
No injuries were reported aboard the Delta flight, which continued on to its destination without further incident. Passengers were reportedly unaware of the potential collision until after the flight landed.
Military flyovers are common at Arlington National Cemetery for funerals involving high-ranking service members or those killed in combat. While these events are typically coordinated closely with air traffic controllers, this incident raised immediate concerns about airspace deconfliction around the busy air corridor near Washington, D.C.
Both agencies involved have pledged full transparency as they work to determine how the near miss occurred and what procedural changes, if any, are necessary to prevent future incidents. Additional details are expected once the joint investigation is completed.