The Denver Broncos’ Week 11 matchup at Mile High against the Kansas City Chiefs resulted in a dangerous incident that many people might not have noticed. Before the Broncos handed the Chiefs yet another loss on the season, the Denver skies almost saw a lethal situation involving five planes.
Air-Traffic Confusion Nearly Results in 5-Plane Catastrophe Before Broncos-Chiefs Game
CBS Colorado posted a clip on Instagram detailing an exchange between an air traffic controller and a pilot, in which the pilot was instructed to move out of the way of four F-35s that performed a flyover at Mile High before the Broncos’ game against the Chiefs.
The pilot in question was tasked with shooting video footage at the stadium. The air traffic controller radioed in to the pilot, telling her to move out of the way of the F-35s that flew over Mile High.
“2255 Hotel, I need you to exit faster,” she commanded the pilot. “I have four F-35s 15 miles south of the airport, or south of the stadium, at 400 knots.”
“We’re heading westbound, StationAir, 2255 Hotel,” the pilot said, much to the tower’s relief.
The traffic controller cautioned the pilot about a deviation: “For 2255 Hotel, be advised of a possible pilot deviation.”
This was when things escalated, as the pilot claimed she had clearance to be in the area.
“I do have a waiver to be in the TFR,” she said. “I’m here on a job. If I need to move for the F-15s (F-35s), I can.”
The controller shot her down, saying, “Being at work does not mean you can just go into a TFR.” Another traffic controller added, “2255 Hotel, you’re gonna be unable to enter the TFR at this time. You gotta go on the ground and contact us.”
This Wasn’t the 1st Time Drama in the Sky Occurred at an NFL Game
In 2021, before a Tennessee Titans game at Nissan Stadium, four helicopters from the 101st Airborne Division performed a flyover at the venue as part of the league’s “Salute to Service.”
However, reports stated that the aircraft came extremely close to the roof, being as low as “eye level” with fans in the highest sections of the stadium.
The flyover drew scrutiny, and the Federal Aviation Administration launched a joint inquiry into the incident with the 101st Airborne Division. However, there is no public record indicating that the helicopter pilots suffered any consequences for the situation.
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It remains to be seen how situations in the air at NFL games are handled in the future.
If the pilot had a waiver to be in the TFR, meaning they’ve received permission to enter the airspace.
FAR 91.137(d):
When a NOTAM has been issued under paragraph (a)(3) of this section, no person may operate an aircraft within the designated area unless at least one of the following conditions is met:
(1) The operation is conducted directly to or from an airport within the area, or is necessitated by the impracticability of VFR flight above or around the area due to weather or terrain, and the operation is not conducted for the purpose of observing the incident or event.
(2) The aircraft is operating under an ATC approved IFR flight plan.
(3) The aircraft is carrying incident or event personnel, or law enforcement officials.
(4) The aircraft is carrying properly accredited news representatives and, prior to entering that area, a flight plan is filed with the appropriate FSS or ATC facility specified in the NOTAM.
91.137(d) clearly states that the pilot had permission to be in the airspace. It is a bs pilot deviation phone call for the pilot to not leave the airspace as fast as ATC wanted, because many times it’s not possible. There was no risk posed to the F-35s – the FAA defines a near-midair collision as separation between the crafts of less than 500 feet or the urgent belief of the pilots involved a near miss occurred. Neither of these occurred, and therefore, neither did a near miss.
The ATC controller was most likely on a power-trip, and if a pilot deviation was in fact filed, it’d never hold up. The pilot was not “shot down” by ATC, they were simply bullied. This is knowledge that student pilots learn about in their first few months of training.