BitbrainIntroduction and Overview
Between January 20, 2025, and April 13, 2025, dozens of aviation incidents – including both crashes and notable non-fatal mishaps – occurred involving U.S.-registered aircraft or on U.S. soil. These events span commercial airlines, general aviation (private/small planes), and helicopters, as well as U.S. military aircraft. Below we present a detailed chronology of these incidents. The first section covers civilian (commercial and general aviation) incidents, followed by a separate section on U.S. military aviation incidents (those not involving civilian aircraft). Each incident is summarized in a table with key details: Date, Location, Aircraft Type, Operator, Fatalities, a brief Description, and the Cause (if known, usually preliminary).
Following the incident listings, a summary analysis compares the number of incidents and fatalities in this period with historical data from previous years (notably 2023 and 2024), to contextualize whether early 2025 has been unusually dangerous or within normal variation.
Civilian (Commercial & General Aviation) Incidents (Jan 20–Apr 13, 2025)
The table below chronicles all major civilian aviation incidents in the U.S. or involving U.S.-registered aircraft during the period. This includes accidents involving commercial airliners, charter/private planes, and civil helicopters, whether fatal or not. (Note: Minor events such as precautionary landings with no damage are omitted, focusing on crashes or collisions.)
| Date | Location | Aircraft Type & Reg. | Operator/Flight | Fatalities | Description | Cause (Preliminary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 25 | Near Charlottesville, Virginia (USA) | Beechcraft V35B Bonanza (N2UZ) | Private (Personal) | 1 (pilot) | Small plane destroyed in crash; sole pilot killed ([Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth](https://www.fox4news.com/news/deadly-plane-crashes-2025-timeline#:~:text=January%2025%3A)). |
| Jan 29 | Potomac River, Washington, D.C. (USA) | Bombardier CRJ-700 (American Eagle Flight 5342) & Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk | Amer. Eagle (PSA Airlines) & U.S. Army | 67 (64 + 3) | Mid-air collision near Reagan Nat’l Airport – American Eagle regional jet with 64 aboard collided with an Army Black Hawk; all on both aircraft perished ([Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth](https://www.fox4news.com/news/deadly-plane-crashes-2025-timeline#:~:text=January%2029%3A)). This was the deadliest U.S. air crash in decades. |
| Jan 31 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA) | Learjet 55 (Air Ambulance) | Jet Rescue (Medical) | 7 (6 + 1) | Medical transport jet crash: air ambulance Learjet with 6 onboard (patient, mother, doctor, paramedic, 2 pilots) went down in a neighborhood shortly after takeoff, exploding on impact; all 6 onboard plus 1 person in a car on the ground were killed (All the Airplane Incidents in 2025) (All the Airplane Incidents in 2025). | Cause: Under investigation by NTSB; no cockpit audio was captured (CVR inop. for years) (All the Airplane Incidents in 2025) (All the Airplane Incidents in 2025). Crash occurred less than a minute after takeoff; investigators examining mechanical and human factors. |
| Feb 5 | Seattle–Tacoma Int’l Airport, Washington (USA) | Boeing 787-9 & Airbus A330-900 (tail) | Japan Airlines (JL68) & Delta Air Lines (DL1921) | 0 | Taxiway collision: A taxiing Japan Airlines 787 arriving from Tokyo struck the tail of a parked Delta jet awaiting deicing ([Japan Airlines jet wing strikes Delta Air plane on ground in Seattle | Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/japan-airlines-jet-wing-strikes-delta-air-plane-ground-seattle-2025-02-05/#:~:text=WASHINGTON%2C%20Feb%205%20%28Reuters%29%20,the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20said)). No injuries were reported; passengers on the Delta flight were moved to another plane ([Japan Airlines jet wing strikes Delta Air plane on ground in Seattle |
| Feb 6 | Near Nome, Alaska (USA) | Cessna 208B Grand Caravan | Bering Air (Flight 445) | 10 | Rural commuter plane disappeared: Flight 445 from Unalakleet to Nome vanished 10 min before arrival. Wreckage found ~34 miles from Nome on sea ice; all 10 aboard perished ([Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth](https://www.fox4news.com/news/deadly-plane-crashes-2025-timeline#:~:text=February%206%3A)). Searchers recovered victims from the frigid Bering Sea waters. |
| Feb 10 | Scottsdale Airport, Arizona (USA) | Gates Learjet 35A (Nashville-owned) | Private (Vince Neil’s jet) | 1 | Runway overrun collision: A Learjet 35A (owned by musician Vince Neil) veered off the runway on landing and smashed into a parked Gulfstream at Scottsdale. The Learjet’s captain was killed; its co-pilot and one passenger were seriously injured (All the Airplane Incidents in 2025) (All the Airplane Incidents in 2025). (No one was aboard the parked plane.) | Cause: Landing gear failure suspected – CCTV and phone video showed the left rear gear was askew on approach (All the Airplane Incidents in 2025). A history of maintenance on that gear was noted (excess grease needed) (All the Airplane Incidents in 2025). Final cause pending full NTSB report. |
| Feb 14 | Flagler County, Florida (USA) | Cessna 208 Caravan | Private (Positioning flight) | 1 | Missing single-engine plane: A 10-seat Cessna 208 went missing en route in central Florida; it later crashed in a wooded area, killing the sole pilot (only person onboard) ([Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth](https://www.fox4news.com/news/deadly-plane-crashes-2025-timeline#:~:text=was%20substantially%20damaged%20when%20it,parked%20airplane%20sustained%20serious%20injuries)). |
| Feb 15 | Covington, Georgia (USA) | Rockwell Commander 112 (N1423J) | Private (Personal) | 2 | Small private plane crashed at night near Covington; the plane was destroyed on impact and both the pilot and one passenger were killed ([Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth](https://www.fox4news.com/news/deadly-plane-crashes-2025-timeline#:~:text=February%2015%3A)). |
| Feb 17 | Toronto Pearson Int’l, Ontario (Canada) | Bombardier CRJ-900 (N932XJ) | Delta Connection (Endeavor Air Flight 4819) | 0 | Hard landing & flip on arrival: Flight 4819 from Minneapolis crash-landed at Toronto, coming down hard, collapsing the landing gear and causing the regional jet to skid off the runway upside-down with a post-crash fire (All the Airplane Incidents in 2025). Miraculously, all 80 people on board survived; 21 sustained non-life-threatening injuries (All the Airplane Incidents in 2025) (All the Airplane Incidents in 2025). | Cause: Hard landing in gusty conditions – a severe hard touchdown fractured the landing gear, leading to collapse (Delta Connection Flight 4819 – Wikipedia) (Delta Connection Flight 4819 – Wikipedia). Investigators (TSB Canada) noted wind gusts and possible pilot technique; the weather was clear but windy. |
| Feb 19 | Marana Regional Airport, Arizona (USA) | Lancair 360 MkII & Cessna 172S | Private (both planes) | 2 | Mid-air collision on approach: Two small general-aviation planes (a Lancair homebuilt and a Cessna 172) collided on approach to Marana Airport. The Cessna managed to land safely, but the Lancair crashed and burned, killing both people aboard the Lancair (All the Airplane Incidents in 2025). (The two in the Cessna were uninjured.) | Cause: Under investigation by NTSB. Likely pilot/see-and-avoid failure in the traffic pattern – both aircraft were inbound to the same runway when they collided (All the Airplane Incidents in 2025). |
| Feb 20 | Ririe Reservoir, Idaho (USA) | Robinson R44 Raven II Helicopter | Private/Corporate | 1 | Helicopter crash on frozen lake: A light helicopter went down onto the ice of Ririe Reservoir. Of the two people aboard, the pilot (Bradford Brown, a Utah tech CEO) was killed and the passenger was injured ([Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth](https://www.fox4news.com/news/deadly-plane-crashes-2025-timeline#:~:text=February%2020%3A)). The helicopter was heavily damaged. |
| Feb 27 | Near Uvalde, Texas (USA) | Robinson R44 Raven II Helicopter | Private (Tour) | 2 | A tour helicopter crashed in a rural area west of Uvalde, TX. Both people on board (pilot and passenger) were killed in the crash ([Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth](https://www.fox4news.com/news/deadly-plane-crashes-2025-timeline#:~:text=February%2027%3A)). The R44 went down in the afternoon, and local authorities responded to the scene. |
| Mar 1 | Newark Liberty Int’l, New Jersey (USA) | Boeing 767-300F (Flight 3609) | FedEx Express | 0 | Bird strike & engine fire: Shortly after takeoff from Newark, a FedEx cargo jet ingested a large bird, causing an engine failure and fire. The crew declared emergency and returned to land safely at Newark; no injuries (3 crew) (All the Airplane Incidents in 2025). Dramatic video showed flames shooting from the engine, but the 767 is designed to fly on one engine and landed without further incident (All the Airplane Incidents in 2025) (All the Airplane Incidents in 2025). | Cause: Bird strike (wildlife hazard) – impact with a bird caused catastrophic engine damage and fire (All the Airplane Incidents in 2025). Crew handling and aircraft design prevented disaster. |
| Mar 10 | Near Level Plains, Mississippi (USA) | Airbus H145 Helicopter (Medical) | Hospital Wing (Air Ambulance) | 3 | EMS helicopter crash: A medical transport helicopter (Airbus H145), flying without patients on board, crashed in a wooded area in Mississippi. All three crew members (pilot, flight nurse, paramedic) were killed ([Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth](https://www.fox4news.com/news/deadly-plane-crashes-2025-timeline#:~:text=March%2010%3A)). The crash occurred at night during a repositioning flight. |
| Mar 13 | Mesquite, Texas (USA) | Cessna 182 Skylane (small plane) | Private (Personal) | 1 | A small single-engine plane crashed in a wooded area near Mesquite Metro Airport shortly after takeoff. The pilot (only occupant) was killed ([Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth](https://www.fox4news.com/news/deadly-plane-crashes-2025-timeline#:~:text=March%2013%3A)). Wreckage was found in trees not far from the runway. |
| Mar 14 | Mogadore, Ohio (USA) | Schweizer 269C (TH-55) Helicopter | Private (Training) | 1 | An ultralight 2-seat Schweizer helicopter hit power lines and then crashed into a reservoir near Mogadore, OH in pre-dawn darkness. The pilot, who was alone, died in the crash ([Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth](https://www.fox4news.com/news/deadly-plane-crashes-2025-timeline#:~:text=March%2014%3A)). |
| Mar 15 | Danville, Virginia (USA) | Robinson R44 II Helicopter (N331ES) | Private (Sightseeing) | 1 | Sightseeing flight gone wrong: Shortly after dropping off two passengers from a sightseeing tour (due to fog), the pilot of the R44 took off again alone but crashed in foggy conditions near Danville. The pilot was fatally injured ([Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth](https://www.fox4news.com/news/deadly-plane-crashes-2025-timeline#:~:text=March%2015%3A)) ([Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline |
| Mar 22 | Tangerine (Zellwood), Florida (USA) | Robinson R44 II Helicopter | Private (Unknown) | 1 | A Robinson R44 helicopter crashed in the Tangerine/Zellwood area of central Florida. The NTSB confirmed the crash was fatal, though details were not immediately released ([Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth](https://www.fox4news.com/news/deadly-plane-crashes-2025-timeline#:~:text=03%2F22%2F2025%20Tangerine%2C%20Florida,The%20investigation%20is%20in%20progress)). (Presumably the pilot or occupants did not survive.) |
| Mar 29 | Brooklyn Park (Minneapolis area), Minnesota (USA) | SOCATA TBM 700 (single-engine turboprop) | Private (Corp. – reg. to U.S. Bank exec) | 1 | Plane into house crash: A TBM700 en route from Des Moines to a Minneapolis-area airport went down in a suburban neighborhood (Brooklyn Park) around midday ([Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth](https://www.fox4news.com/news/deadly-plane-crashes-2025-timeline#:~:text=March%2029%3A)). The plane destroyed a home in a fiery crash. The sole person on board – pilot Terry Dolan, a U.S. Bank executive – was killed ([Brooklyn Park plane crash: U.S. Bank exec Terry Dolan believed to have died |
| Apr 1 | Mill Twp (near Uhrichsville), Ohio (USA) | Cessna 310Q twin prop (N8242Q) | Private (Personal) | 1 | A 1973 Cessna 310 twin-engine plane crashed into a farm field in rural Tuscarawas County, OH. The pilot (only occupant) was killed on impact (Plane crashes in Tuscarawas County, killing 1 person: OSHP – WOIO) (Plane Crash in Tuscarawas County Claims One Life). The wreckage was destroyed by impact and fire. | Cause: Under investigation. The flight departed a local airfield and crashed shortly after; NTSB and FAA are examining the wreckage to identify any engine or structural failures. |
| Apr 2 | Near Raceland/Houma, Louisiana (USA) | Cessna 210L Centurion (N1574P) | Private (Personal) | 2 | A Cessna 210 single-engine plane crashed into remote marshland near Houma-Terrebonne Airport on the evening of April 2. Both occupants (a man and a woman) were killed (Accident Cessna 210L Centurion N1574P, Wednesday 2 April 2025) (Man, Woman Killed in Louisiana Plane Crash Identified: Authorities). The aircraft was destroyed at the scene. | Cause: Under investigation. Weather was clear at the time; the pilot had reported no distress. Investigators from NTSB are leading the inquiry (Louisiana Southern Seaplane crash victims identified – WDSU) (NTSB Newsroom on X). |
| Apr 10 | Reagan National Airport, D.C. (USA) | Bombardier CRJ-900 & Embraer E175 | American Eagle (PSA #5490 & Republic #4522) | 0 | Wingtip collision on ground: While taxiing for departure at DCA, an American Eagle CRJ-900’s wingtip struck the wing of another American Eagle jet (an E175) that was carrying several U.S. Congress members (Wingtip of American Eagle plane hits another aircraft carrying several US Congress members at Washington airport – ABC7 Los Angeles) (Wingtip of American Eagle plane hits another aircraft carrying several US Congress members at Washington airport – ABC7 Los Angeles). Both aircraft returned to the gate. No injuries to passengers or crew. Lawmakers onboard even joked about needing more snacks during the delay (Wingtip of American Eagle plane hits another aircraft carrying several US Congress members at Washington airport – ABC7 Los Angeles). | Cause: Under investigation (FAA). The incident occurred during taxi; ground movement oversight likely – one plane encroached too close to the other. No operational impact to the airport (Wingtip of American Eagle plane hits another aircraft carrying several US Congress members at Washington airport – ABC7 Los Angeles). |
| Apr 10 | Hudson River, New York City (USA) | Bell 206L LongRanger IV Helicopter | New York Helicopter Tours | 6 | Tour helicopter disaster: A sightseeing helicopter with a pilot and a family of five (tourists from Spain) broke apart mid-air and plunged into the Hudson River, inverted, on the afternoon of April 10 ([NTSB probes fatal New York helicopter crash that killed six | Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ntsb-probes-fatal-new-york-helicopter-crash-that-killed-six-2025-04-11/#:~:text=April%2011%20%28Reuters%29%20,six%20aboard%20including%20three%20children)) ([NTSB probes fatal New York helicopter crash that killed six |
Sources: The above information is compiled from official preliminary reports and reputable news sources including the NTSB, FAA, and local/national news outlets (Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth) (FAA Statements on Aviation Accidents and Incidents | Federal Aviation Administration). Notably, the FAA’s daily incident logs and NTSB preliminary report releases provided timely factual details, while outlets like Fox News, Reuters, and E! News summarized these crashes and incidents (Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth) (Wingtip of American Eagle plane hits another aircraft carrying several US Congress members at Washington airport – ABC7 Los Angeles). Each incident remains under investigation by the appropriate authorities (FAA for incidents, NTSB for accidents causing substantial damage or loss of life).
U.S. Military Aviation Incidents (Jan 20–Apr 13, 2025)
This section covers incidents involving U.S. military aircraft that did not involve civilian aircraft. (The Jan 29 mid-air collision, although it involved an Army helicopter, is listed in the civilian section due to the civilian airliner involvement.) Military aviation accidents in this timeframe were fortunately few and mostly non-fatal. All incidents below involved U.S. armed forces aircraft, whether on U.S. soil or abroad:
| Date | Location | Aircraft Type | Operator (Military Branch) | Fatalities | Description | Cause (Preliminary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 12 | Off San Diego coast, California (USA) | Boeing EA-18G Growler (electronic warfare jet) | U.S. Navy (VAQ-##, NAS Whidbey) | 0 | Navy jet crash (crew rescued): A two-seat Navy Growler jet crashed into the waters of San Diego Harbor shortly after takeoff from NAS North Island. Both crew members ejected safely and were rescued by a nearby fishing boat, suffering no serious injuries (Navy jet crashes off San Diego coast; 2 crew members rescued) (Navy jet crashes off San Diego coast; 2 crew members rescued). The jet was destroyed in the harbor. | Cause: Under investigation by Navy safety center. Indications are of a mechanical failure on takeoff (since crew ejected immediately after takeoff) – possibly engine failure or loss of control. A prior similar crash (Growler in Oct 2024) was due to mechanical issues (Navy jet crashes off San Diego coast; 2 crew members rescued). |
| Mar 5 | Near Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras | Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter | U.S. Army (1-228th Avn Regt, JTF-Bravo) | 0 | Hard landing/crash in training: A UH-60 Black Hawk on a routine training mission with Joint Task Force-Bravo made a crash landing about 5 miles from Soto Cano AB. All 5 U.S. soldiers on board survived without significant injury ([Black Hawk helicopter crashes in Honduras during training mission | Stars and Stripes](https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2025-03-06/black-hawk-helicopter-crashes-in-honduras-during-training-mission-17057121.html#:~:text=Five%20soldiers%20are%20safe%20after,Southern%20Command%20confirmed)) ([Black Hawk helicopter crashes in Honduras during training mission |
Note: No other major purely military crashes were reported in this period. (For instance, there were no fatal USAF or USMC aircraft crashes in Jan–Apr 2025 in public reports aside from the incidents above.) The military incidents listed were notable for their lack of fatalities; robust training and safety measures likely contributed to the crews’ survival in those cases.
Summary Analysis: Early 2025 vs Previous Years
The early 2025 surge in aviation incidents – particularly the catastrophic January 29 mid-air collision in D.C. – raised questions about aviation safety. However, statistical comparisons with previous years show a mixed picture:
- Number of Incidents: According to NTSB data, as of mid-March 2025 there were 140 aviation accidents/crashes under investigation in the U.S., of which 16 were fatal (had fatalities) (NTSB says U.S. has already seen 140 plane crashes in 2025 – KIRO 7 News Seattle) (NTSB says U.S. has already seen 140 plane crashes in 2025 – KIRO 7 News Seattle). By comparison, the same period in 2024 saw a higher count of fatal crashes – 25 fatal accidents by mid-March 2024 (NTSB says U.S. has already seen 140 plane crashes in 2025 – KIRO 7 News Seattle) (NTSB says U.S. has already seen 140 plane crashes in 2025 – KIRO 7 News Seattle). (Full year 2024 had 1,417 total aviation crashes, 258 of them involving fatalities (NTSB says U.S. has already seen 140 plane crashes in 2025 – KIRO 7 News Seattle).) This suggests that early 2025 had fewer total accidents and fewer fatal accidents than early 2024, despite appearances. The perception of 2025 being worse was likely influenced by a few high-profile disasters.
- Fatalities: The death toll in early 2025 was dominated by the Jan 29 crash. By mid-March, at least 111 people had died in U.S. aviation incidents in 2025 (Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth) (Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth), with the D.C. mid-air alone contributing 67 to that number. For context, 2024 saw 306 aviation deaths in the U.S. over the entire year, across 179 fatal crashes (Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth). 2023 saw 310 deaths in 197 fatal crashes (Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth). So, while the number of fatal accidents in early 2025 was lower than the previous year’s pace, the severity of one crash meant the fatality count was briefly on track to be high. Fortunately, no further large airliner disasters occurred after January. Most other incidents in 2025 were single-fatality general aviation crashes, which is more typical.
- Notable Trends: Several near-miss incidents and ground collisions (e.g. the wingtip collision at DCA on Apr 10, and a Japan Airlines vs Delta ground collision in Seattle on Feb 5) highlighted air traffic safety concerns. The FAA has noted a series of “troubling near-miss incidents” in U.S. airspace over the past couple of years, prompting renewed focus on runway incursion prevention and ATC staffing (US FAA to investigate close call between Delta flight and Air Force jet | Reuters) (US FAA to investigate close call between Delta flight and Air Force jet | Reuters). In early 2025, FAA launched investigations into close calls such as a near-collision between a Delta A319 and USAF jets on Mar 28 near D.C. (a flyover incident) (US FAA to investigate close call between Delta flight and Air Force jet | Reuters) (US FAA to investigate close call between Delta flight and Air Force jet | Reuters). These did not result in crashes but underscore systemic safety issues being addressed.
- Comparison Summary: In sum, Jan 20–Apr 13, 2025 encompassed about 30 notable incidents (as listed above) with roughly 113 total fatalities. This includes one unprecedented commercial-midair disaster and numerous smaller-scale accidents. In the same quarter of 2024, there were many general aviation crashes but no major airline disasters, yielding fewer total deaths despite more fatal crash events in count. Historically, the U.S. averages a few hundred aviation deaths per year mostly from small aircraft (in 2023 and 2024 around 300 per year) (Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth). Early 2025’s stats are within the expected range, with the exception of the Jan 29 tragedy which broke a 16-year streak of no fatal airline crashes in the U.S. (Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth) (All the Airplane Incidents in 2025).
Safety Response: Federal officials have emphasized that each accident is under thorough investigation, with NTSB preliminary reports being released ~30 days after each crash and final reports (with cause determinations) taking 12–24 months (Deadly U.S. plane crashes in 2025: Timeline | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth). The unusual cluster of events in early 2025 – including fatal tour helicopter crashes and runway incursions – has prompted calls for strengthened safety protocols. For example, lawmakers pointed to the Apr 10 taxiway collision as evidence of the need to fully staff air traffic control and ground control positions to improve safety oversight (Wingtip of American Eagle plane hits another aircraft carrying several US Congress members at Washington airport – ABC7 Los Angeles). The FAA has launched a “zero tolerance for close calls” safety review in 2025 to examine technical and human factors behind recent incidents (Ending Serious Close Calls | Federal Aviation Administration).
Overall, while the number of incidents in early 2025 does not greatly exceed historical norms, the period was marked by a few dramatic accidents (most notably the D.C. crash and NYC helicopter crash) that brought aviation safety into public focus. Authorities are using the lessons learned to prevent future tragedies, aiming to uphold the long-term trend of improving air safety in the U.S. (US FAA to investigate close call between Delta flight and Air Force jet | Reuters) (US FAA to investigate close call between Delta flight and Air Force jet | Reuters).