A JetBlue flight narrowly avoided a mid-air collision with a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker on Friday, according to the pilot who reported the incident. JetBlue Flight 1112, en route from Curaçao to New York City’s JFK Airport, was forced to halt its ascent to avoid colliding with the military aircraft. The pilot stated in air traffic control recordings that the tanker passed directly through their flight path and was operating without its transponder turned on, describing the situation as “outrageous.”

The pilot described the proximity of the military aircraft as “within five miles… maybe two or three miles” and at the same altitude, leaving the passenger jet with no option but to stop climbing. Following the near-miss, the U.S. Air Force tanker reportedly headed into Venezuelan airspace. The incident comes amid increased U.S. military activity in the Caribbean, including airstrikes targeting suspected drug smugglers and broader efforts to exert pressure on Venezuela’s government.

JetBlue spokesperson Derek Dombrowski confirmed on Sunday that the airline has reported the incident to federal authorities and will fully cooperate with any investigation. He emphasized that JetBlue crew members are highly trained to manage complex flight situations and praised the crew for promptly reporting the incident to company leadership. The Pentagon referred all inquiries to the U.S. Air Force, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Adding to safety concerns, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had issued a warning last month advising U.S. aircraft to “exercise caution” when operating in Venezuelan airspace. The advisory cited a “worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela.” During the exchange with air traffic control, the controller acknowledged the pilot’s report, stating, “It has been outrageous with the unidentified aircraft within our air.”