F-16 Fighting Falcon News

May 21, 2000 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Two U.S. Air Force F-16s returning from an air show came too close to an American Airlines jet and a small private plane this week outside Washington.
The incidents occurred on Monday shortly after the Thunderbirds display team left Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland for their home base in Nevada.

Two of the eight Thunderbirds came within 700 feet vertically and 0. 9 miles horizontally from an American Airlines MD-80 flight from Dallas to Dulles airport in northern Virginia. The same F-16 aircraft also came within 100 feet vertically and 1. 8 miles horizontally of a privately operated four-seat Mooney.

FAA regulations generally call for a minimum three miles horizontally or 1, 000 feet vertically between planes in airspace near airports. The agency said it took the incidents seriously but any disciplinary action would be up to the Air Force.

Air Force spokesman Maj. Jon Anderson said close passes were inadvertent and occurred as an air traffic controller helped guide the planes back into their formation after losing visibility in low clouds.