Delta pilot executes daring move to prevent midair crash with military jet

Close Call in the Skies Over North Dakota

A Delta Airlines pilot was forced to make an "aggressive maneuver" to avoid a mid-air collision with a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber over North Dakota, highlighting a rare and potentially dangerous incident in the skies.

The event occurred on Friday night when Flight DL3788, an Embraer E175 operated by SkyWest Airlines as part of the Delta Connection network, was en route from Minneapolis-Saint Paul to Minot International Airport. The flight, which lasted about 1.5 hours, faced a sudden and unexpected danger during its descent.

According to reports, the plane was in the final stages of its approach when a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber from Minot Air Force Base appeared in the vicinity. The pilot, who later shared an announcement with passengers, described the situation as alarming and unanticipated.

"In front of you on the right-hand side, you probably saw the airplane sort of coming at us. Nobody told us about it, and so we continued," the pilot said, according to social media posts from passengers. He explained that the aircraft was relying solely on instructions from the control tower, but those instructions were unclear and did not prepare them for the encounter.

The pilot noted that he initially thought the bomber was a smaller aircraft, but quickly realized the severity of the situation. "I looked over and saw the airplane that was kind of coming on a converging course with us. So, given his speed, it was a military... I don’t know how fast they were going, but it was a lot faster than us, I felt it was the safest thing to do to turn behind it."

He added, "So sorry about the aggressive maneuver. It caught me by surprise. This is not normal at all." The pilot expressed frustration over the lack of communication, stating, "I don’t know why they didn’t give us a heads up because the airport base does have radar, and nobody said, 'Hey, there’s a B-52 in the pattern.'"

Passengers reportedly applauded the pilot after the incident, acknowledging the difficult decision he had to make under pressure. In a statement to the New York Post, a SkyWest spokesperson confirmed the details of the event, saying: "SkyWest flight 3788, operating as Delta Connection from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Minot, North Dakota on July 18, landed safely in Minot after being cleared for approach by the tower but performed a go-around when another aircraft became visible in their flight path. We are investigating the incident."

Additional Aviation Incident on the Same Day

This close call was not the only aviation-related incident reported on the same day. Another Delta Airlines flight, Flight 446, was forced to return to its departure airport after one of its engines caught fire. The flight had taken off from Los Angeles International Airport but was forced to make a safe return around 2:10 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Delta Airlines, the U.S. Air Force, and the FAA were contacted for further comment on both incidents. While no official explanation has been provided for the B-52 encounter or the engine failure, these events underscore the importance of clear communication and coordination in the skies.

Aviation safety remains a top priority for airlines and regulatory agencies, and such incidents serve as reminders of the potential risks involved in air travel. As investigations continue, more information is expected to emerge regarding the causes of these events and steps that can be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.