The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced an investigation into a near-collision on Friday between a Delta Air Lines flight and a U.S. Air Force jet near Reagan Washington National Airport. The incident comes at a time of heightened concern over aviation safety, following a string of close calls and a deadly mid-air crash earlier this year.

The Delta flight, an Airbus A319 bound for Minneapolis, had been cleared for takeoff at approximately 3:15 p.m. ET, just as four U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon jets were approaching Arlington National Cemetery for a ceremonial flyover. As the commercial jet climbed, its cockpit collision warning system alerted the crew to another aircraft in close proximity. Air traffic controllers issued immediate corrective instructions to both planes, successfully preventing a potential disaster.

The close call sparked outrage, with Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota condemning the incident as “unbelievably dangerous.” Expressing relief that passengers were unharmed, she pledged to demand answers from the Department of Defense, questioning why military jets were flying so close to a civilian aircraft.

The Pentagon acknowledged the reports but offered no immediate comment. Delta Airlines confirmed that 131 passengers and five crew members were aboard the flight and stated that the crew followed all procedures as directed. The airline also pledged full cooperation with regulators in reviewing the incident.

This latest aviation scare follows a deadly mid-air collision on January 29, also near Reagan National, where a passenger jet and a U.S. Army helicopter collided, killing 67 people in what became the first fatal commercial airline crash in the U.S. in 16 years. The tragedy raised questions about the military’s use of ADS-B safety systems on helicopter training flights, prompting the FAA to impose permanent restrictions on non-essential helicopter operations near the airport and implement new safety measures to prevent similar incidents.

The FAA has also been grappling with other aviation safety concerns in recent months. Last month, a Southwest Airlines flight narrowly avoided disaster at Chicago Midway Airport when it came within 200 feet of a business jet. More recently, on March 1, more than a dozen flights on approach to Reagan National received false collision warnings, forcing several pilots to abort their landings—an issue later attributed to government counter-drone testing.

The FAA's investigation into Friday’s Delta-Air Force incident is expected to focus on the factors that led to the near miss and whether additional safety protocols are needed to prevent future occurrences.