Cockpit audio recordings captured the tense moments when a JetBlue pilot narrowly avoided what he described as a near midair collision with a U.S. Air Force tanker aircraft. The incident occurred on Friday as Flight 1112 climbed after takeofffrom Curaçao, a Dutch Caribbean island near Venezuela, en route to New York’s JFK Airport.
According to air traffic control recordings, the pilot reported that a U.S. Air Force air refueler crossed directly into the JetBlue flight path at the same altitude, passing within five miles of the commercial aircraft. The pilot had to halt his climb to avoid the military aircraft.
“We almost had a midair collision up here,” the pilot said in the recording. “They passed directly in our flight path. They don’t have their transponder turned on, it’s outrageous.”
The pilot, flying a 13-year-old Airbus 320, told air traffic control that the military aircraft had its transponder disabled, meaning it was not transmitting its location and could not be seen on civilian radar systems. The air traffic controller confirmed they could not see the military aircraft on their end.
JetBlue spokesperson Derek Dombrowski confirmed the airline has reported the incident to federal authorities and will participate in any investigation. In a statement, JetBlue emphasized that its crews are trained to follow proper procedures for various flight situations.
U.S. Southern Command acknowledged the reports in a statement, saying they are “currently reviewing the matter.” The agency added that military aircrews are highly trained professionals who operate according to established procedures and airspace requirements, and that safety remains a top priority.
The incident comes during a period of heightened U.S. military operations in the Caribbean region. President Donald Trump recently announced strikes targeting alleged Venezuelan drug traffickers and warned airlines and pilots to consider the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela closed in its entirety.
The FAA does not control air traffic around Curaçao and deferred questions to the Curaçao Civil Aviation Authority. A Notice to Air Missions is currently in place near and over Curaçao airspace until the end of the month, advising pilots to exercise extreme caution after multiple pilot reports and primary radar indications showed the presence of non-identified aircraft operations in the area.
All passengers and crew aboard the JetBlue flight landed safely at JFK Airport.
