"US Jet Narrowly Avoids Venezuela Collision in Hair-Raising Midair Scare"

A JetBlue Flight Narrowly Avoids Midair Collision with US Air Force Plane Near Venezuela A harrowing incident occurred on Friday when a JetBlue flight from Curaçao to New York City's JFK airport narrowly avoided a midair collision with a US Air Force refueling tanker. The pilot of the JetBlue flight, which was en route to the United States, called the incident "outrageous" and blamed the military plane for crossing its path. According to a recording of the conversation between the JetBlue pilot and air traffic control, the pilot stated, "We almost had a midair collision up here. They passed directly in our flight path. They don't have their transponder turned on. It's outrageous." The incident occurred near Venezuelan airspace, where the US Air Force plane had entered. The JetBlue flight, identified as flight 1112, was forced to halt its ascent to avoid the collision. The pilot's comments suggest that the US Air Force plane was not equipped with a transponder, which is a device that transmits a plane's location and altitude to air traffic control. The lack of a transponder can make it difficult for air traffic controllers to track a plane's position and altitude. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of air traffic in the region. According to aviation experts, the lack of a transponder on the US Air Force plane could have contributed to the close call. "This is a serious incident that highlights the importance of proper communication and safety protocols in air traffic control," said an aviation expert, who wished to remain anonymous. The US Air Force has not commented on the incident, but the US military has been active in the region in recent years. The incident has sparked concerns about the safety of civilian air traffic in the area. The JetBlue flight was able to continue its journey to New York City's JFK airport without incident. The airline has not commented on the incident, but the pilot's comments suggest that the crew was shaken by the close call. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety protocols and communication in air traffic control. As the aviation industry continues to grow and become more complex, incidents like this highlight the need for vigilance and attention to detail. In related news, the US Air Force has been involved in several incidents in the region in recent years, including the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker off the coast of Guyana. The incident has raised tensions between the US and Venezuela, and has sparked concerns about the safety of air traffic in the region. As the investigation into the incident continues, aviation experts and regulators will be closely monitoring the situation to ensure that proper safety protocols are in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.