Delta Pilot Apologizes for Swift Evasive Maneuver to Avoid a B-52 Bomber Encounter in Mid-Air
In an unexpected incident on July 18, 2025, a Delta Air Lines regional jet, operating as SkyWest Airlines' Flight 3788, narrowly avoided a mid-air collision with a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber near Minot, North Dakota.
During the approach to Minot International Airport, the Delta regional jet pilot spotted the B-52 on a converging path, with no prior warning from air traffic control despite the presence of radar facilities at Minot Air Force Base. To avoid disaster, the pilot performed an "aggressive maneuver," turning the jet behind the faster-moving B-52. The airplane, an Embraer E175, circled several times before landing safely.
Passenger Monica Green felt the plane jerk like a U-turn during the incident and later expressed appreciation for the pilot's transparency about the situation. In a video posted on TikTok, the pilot can be heard explaining that the aircraft was "kind of, sort of coming at us."
SkyWest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and the Pentagon have referred CNN to SkyWest Airlines for details about the incident. The airline has confirmed that the flight was cleared for approach but executed a go-around when the bomber became visible.
Investigations into the incident have been launched by SkyWest Airlines, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the U.S. Air Force. As of now, no official comments have been provided about the circumstances that led to the lack of coordination or warning.
The B-52 Stratofortress, significantly faster and larger than the Embraer 175 regional jet, is a long-range, heavy bomber capable of flying at high subsonic speeds and carrying nuclear or precision-guided conventional ordnance. The B-52's long-range capability and military strategic role contrast with the regional jet's commercial passenger transport function.
The B-52 can fly at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet and has worldwide precision navigation capability. The speed of the unidentified aircraft, which the pilot stated was moving faster than the flight, further emphasized the need for the evasive action taken by the Delta regional jet pilot.
The FAA does not have a report on the event yet, but is working to gather information on the incident. This near collision serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges in managing air traffic, especially in busy airspaces near military bases.
The financial implications of this near-collision incident may affect both SkyWest Airlines and Delta Air Lines, as well as the aviation industry as a whole. In the world of transportation, such close calls can have far-reaching consequences for firms and the industry itself.
Meanwhile, the lack of timely warning from air traffic control, despite the presence of radar facilities, raises questions about the coordination between the civil aviation and military sectors within finance and transportation infrastructure in the U.S. This event underscores the importance of efficient collaboration between all parties involved in ensuring passenger safety and preventing similar incidents in the future.
