A Delta Connection jet nearly collided with a US Air Force B-52 bomber on July 18 near Minot, North Dakota. As the plane prepared to land, the SkyWest pilot suddenly spotted the bomber ahead. Therefore, he made a sharp turn to avoid a crash.
Pilot Reacts Quickly
SkyWest Airlines confirmed the incident. The plane was cleared to land but performed a sudden go-around after the bomber appeared. “SkyWest flight 3788… landed safely in Minot after… performed a go-around when another aircraft became visible in their flight path,” the airline stated.
Passengers Feel Sudden Turn
Passengers felt the jet’s sharp movement. Monica Green, a passenger, said, “We took a really hard turn, and that’s when the pilot got on the intercom and said, ‘sorry everybody, I’ll explain everything when we land safely.’”
Pilot Explains Shocking Encounter
After the plane landed, the pilot addressed the passengers. He explained that air traffic control asked him to report six miles from the airport. However, after turning right, he suddenly saw the bomber ahead. “I thought that was the safest thing to do was turn behind it,” he said. He also expressed frustration, saying, “Nobody told us about it.”
🚨🚨 NEW: Delta pilot makes an "aggressive maneuver" to avoid colliding with a B-52 bomber above Minot, North Dakota.
— JOSH DUNLAP (@JDunlap1974) July 20, 2025
"Given his speed ... I don't know how fast they were going, but they were a lot faster than us, I felt it was the safest thing to do to turn behind it," the… pic.twitter.com/i0ROYBADkE
Passengers Praise Pilot’s Honesty
Though the manoeuvre alarmed many, passengers praised the pilot’s honest explanation. Green later said, “It almost sounded like he was insinuating that landing safely might not be an option for a moment.”
US Air Force Confirms Bomber’s Presence
The military aircraft was a B-52 Stratofortress, confirmed by the US Air Force. It was part of a flyover event after taking off from Minot Air Force Base. Its unexpected appearance has raised safety concerns.
Investigations Underway
The FAA and SkyWest Airlines launched separate investigations. Officials are now questioning why the bomber was not reported by military radar in advance.
Communication Failure Raises Safety Concerns
Although the plane landed safely, the incident highlighted the lack of communication between military and civilian authorities. Experts are now calling for improved safety protocols at dual-use airports like Minot.