Delta Flight Makes Aggressive Maneuver to Avoid Military Jet Collision

Strategic Insights -

A Delta regional flight operating as SkyWest Flight 3788 narrowly avoided a mid-air collision with a B-52 bomber on July 18, its pilot explained to passengers after the incident. The pilot said he was not informed of the bomber's presence after it appeared to leave a nearby Air Force Base, and he performed a go-around to avoid the collision. The flight landed safely, and SkyWest is investigating the incident.

Key Takeaways:

  • The near-miss occurred on July 18, during a 90-minute flight from Minneapolis-Saint Paul to Minot International Airport.
  • The Delta jet, operated by SkyWest Airlines, was performing a go-around after another aircraft became visible in its flight path.
  • The pilot said he was not informed of the B-52 bomber's presence and performed an aggressive maneuver to avoid the collision.
  • The incident was captured on video by a passenger and later verified by NBC News.
  • Passenger Monica Green said she felt "sick to my stomach" after the incident.
  • SkyWest is investigating the incident, and the FAA has been approached for comment.

Statistics:

  • The Delta flight had been cleared to approach the airport when it performed a go-around.
  • The pilot estimated that the bomber was about six miles from the airport when he first saw it.
  • The incident is the latest near-miss in a series of aviation mishaps, following a crash between a military helicopter and a passenger jet in January that killed 67 people.

Sources:

  • NBC News
  • The Daily Beast
  • Instagram (posting by @nbcnews)
  • TikTok (@nbcnews)
  • NBC News (video recording of the pilot)