What happened
The DC-9-31, registered as N1031T, was conducting a descent for landing at Jamaica, New York. During this phase of flight, the captain heard an unusual noise which he initially believed to be a failing cabin door pressure seal and informed the copilot. The copilot suggested the sound might have been that of a jet engine.
Between 1453 and 1455, the crew of N1031T visually observed a Grumman F-14A from the United States Navy maneuvering above and around their aircraft. At the time, N1031T was flying on a heading of 275 degrees, while the USN fighter was on a heading of 250 degrees. In response to the proximity, N1031T turned approximately 15 degrees to the right, and the F-14 banked to the right before disappearing from view. No further evasive action was taken by N1031T, which subsequently landed at JFK Airport without any additional incidents.
The pilot of the USN aircraft later landed at Calverton and reported observing no conflicting traffic. Data from New York ARTCC and New York TRACON revealed that between 1454:00 and 1454:35, a minimum horizontal separation of 0.7 nautical miles occurred at an altitude of 13,200 feet. Additionally, a minimum vertical separation of 200 feet was recorded at 12,900 feet.