Encounter Description
On an unspecified date, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31, registration N1031T, was descending for landing at Jamaica, New York. The captain reported hearing a noise that he believed was a failing cabin door pressure seal and informed the copilot. The copilot indicated he thought the noise was that of a jet engine. Between 1453 and 1455, the crew of N1031T observed a Grumman F-14A of the United States Navy maneuvering above and around their aircraft.
Aircraft Movements
At the time of the observation, N1031T was on a heading of 275 degrees, and the USN aircraft was on a heading of 250 degrees. N1031T turned approximately 15 degrees to the right, and the USN aircraft banked right and disappeared from view. No other evasive action was taken by N1031T, which subsequently landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport without further incident. The USN aircraft landed at Calverton, and its pilot reported observing no conflicting traffic.
Separation Data
Data recorded by New York Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) disclosed that between 1454:00 and 1454:35, the minimum horizontal separation was 0.7 nautical miles, occurring at an altitude of 13,200 feet. The minimum vertical separation was 200 feet, occurring at an altitude of 12,900 feet.