Authorities say 2 F-16s got too close to commercial jet over Ohio, triggering evasive move

Authorities: F-16s neared commercial jet over Ohio

CINCINNATI — Two military fighter jets came so close to a commercial flight over southern Ohio this week that they triggered a cockpit alarm in the commuter plane, whose pilots could see the F-16s nearby, authorities said Friday.

Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 5202, a 70-seat commuter jet, was flying from Cleveland to Atlanta on Thursday at 30,000 feet when its two pilots saw the F-16s nearby at 10 a.m., the airline said.

The plane with 58 passengers and four crew members remained on its flight plan and landed on time, Kate Modolo, spokeswoman for the Atlanta-based carrier, said Friday.

“Our pilots did a good job and handled the flight appropriately and got our passengers safely to Atlanta,” she said.

Radar showed the Ohio National Guard F-16s were flying at 30,000 feet when they should have been no higher than 29,000 feet, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Tony Molinaro said.

The commercial plane “encountered two F-16s and they had a near-miss incident,” Molinaro said.

A cockpit computer system alarm engaged, and the commercial pilots could see the F-16s, he said, but he couldn’t say how near they came. Pilots contacted controllers, who cleared them to climb to 36,000 feet as a precaution.

The jets were in a military operations area, likely for training, Molinaro said. Officials at the Columbus-based Guard said they couldn’t immediately comment on the investigation.

The FAA will provide its information to the military, Molinaro said.