Additional Coverage:
- Terrified passengers watch bomber appear outside window as pilot swerves to avoid deadly mid-air crash (themirror.com)
Near-Miss Between Passenger Jet and B-52 Over North Dakota
A Delta Connection flight from Minneapolis-Saint Paul to Minot International Airport had a close call with a B-52 bomber Saturday night, prompting the pilot to take evasive action. The SkyWest-operated Embraer E175 jet, flying under the Delta Connection banner, was on its 90-minute route when it came dangerously close to the Air Force bomber from Minot Air Force Base.
Passengers described a strangely calm atmosphere as the pilot executed a sharp maneuver to avoid the B-52, which was visible from the cabin windows. One passenger, Monica Green, told KFYR TV, “It felt surreal.
We made this hard turn, and then the pilot came on and said, ‘Sorry everybody, I’ll explain everything when we land safely.’ The way he said it…well, it made us wonder if landing safely was even guaranteed.”
Green commended the pilot for his quick thinking and the detailed explanation he provided after the incident. She noted that while he maintained a casual demeanor, his voice betrayed the stress of the situation.
According to the pilot, air traffic control instructed him to change course due to insufficient separation from another aircraft. He explained that there had been no prior warning of military traffic in the area, unusual given the radar capabilities of Minot Air Force Base. He determined the safest course of action was to maneuver the plane behind the bomber.
Upon landing, relieved passengers expressed their gratitude to the pilot. In a statement, SkyWest confirmed the incident, stating that Flight 3788 was cleared for approach but executed a go-around when another aircraft became visible in its flight path. The airline is currently investigating the near-miss.