JetBlue flight nearly collided with a USAF tanker operating without a transponder.

December 18, 2025 at 12:00 AM•2 min read

JetBlue Flight 1112 from Curaçao narrowly avoided a mid-air collision with a US Air Force tanker near Venezuelan airspace.

Key Points

1JetBlue Flight 1112 halted its climb shortly after takeoff from Curaçao to avoid a near-collision with a US Air Force refueling tanker.
2The commercial pilot reported that the USAF aircraft was operating at the same altitude without an active transponder, passing within an estimated two to five miles.
3The incident occurred in the Caribbean near Venezuelan airspace, a region where the US military has increased activity, prompting recent FAA caution warnings.
4JetBlue confirmed reporting the serious air safety incident to federal authorities for a full investigation.

On December 12, JetBlue Flight 1112, en route from Curaçao to New York JFK, was forced to halt its ascent to prevent a mid-air collision with a United States Air Force (USAF) refueling tanker. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff near the coast of Venezuela, an area where the US military has increased drug interdiction and pressure operations against the Venezuelan government. The JetBlue pilot reported that the military aircraft passed directly in their flight path at the same altitude, forcing the crew to take immediate evasive action.

According to air traffic control recordings, the JetBlue pilot vehemently criticized the military aircraft, claiming the USAF tanker was operating without an active transponder. The pilot estimated the military plane passed within two to five miles of the commercial jetliner. The pilot further noted that the USAF aircraft subsequently proceeded into Venezuelan airspace. Air traffic controllers acknowledged the pilot's complaint, describing the prevalence of unidentified aircraft in the area as "outrageous."

JetBlue confirmed the near-miss, stating they have reported the incident to federal authorities and will cooperate fully with any resulting investigation. A spokesman emphasized that the crew members are trained for various flight situations and praised them for promptly reporting the dangerous encounter. The incident occurs against the backdrop of a November warning issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), advising US aircraft to exercise extreme caution in Venezuelan airspace due to heightened military activity and deteriorating security conditions. The Pentagon referred requests for comment to the Air Force, which has not yet responded.