FAA Probes Near Miss Between Flight School Plane and Jetblue

WHO:

CNN - The aircraft involved included a Beechcraft 76 registered to Sun City Aviation LLC and a JetBlue Airways passenger jet, specifically JetBlue Flight 1256.

CNN - JetBlue pilots and air traffic controllers were involved in the incident.

WHAT:

CNN - The FAA is investigating a close call where the two aircraft came within 500 feet vertically and approximately 1.6 miles horizontally of each other.

CNN - Pilots on JetBlue Flight 1256 received a Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System notification (TCAS) and subsequently flew higher to avoid the other plane.

CNN - The incident occurred at around 6:15 p.m. as JetBlue Flight 1256 was approaching for landing.

WHERE:

CNN - The incident took place near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

CNN - The aircraft were operating in airspace west of Fort Lauderdale, an area identified on FAA charts for concentrated flight training activity.

WHEN:

CNN - The close call occurred on a Monday at approximately 6:15 p.m.

WHY:

CNN - The FAA noted that the aircraft was operating in visual flight conditions, where pilots are generally not required to communicate with air traffic control, indicating a potential reason for the close call.

HOW:

CNN - The Beechcraft 76 was equipped with a functioning transponder, and the pilots were responsible for maintaining separation by visually seeing and avoiding other aircraft.

(UPDATED June 3, 2026 21:58 UTC)

The FAA is currently investigating a close call involving a Beechcraft 76 registered to Sun City Aviation LLC and JetBlue Flight 1256, which came within 500 feet vertically and about 1.6 miles horizontally of each other near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Pilots on JetBlue Flight 1256 received a Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System notification, prompting them to ascend to avoid the other aircraft during their approach for landing. The incident occurred in airspace designated for concentrated flight training activity, where pilots are not typically required to communicate with air traffic control, which may have contributed to the situation.