Pilot’s Quick Thinking Averts Disaster: Delta Flight’s Near Miss with B-52 Bomber Over North Dakota
Pilot’s Quick Thinking Averts Disaster: Delta Flight’s Near Miss with B-52 Bomber Over North Dakota
A Delta Connection flight from Minneapolis was forced to execute an abrupt evasive maneuver on Friday, July 18th, to avoid a potential collision with a B-52 bomber while on approach to Minot, North Dakota. The incident, which is now under investigation by both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Air Force, saw Delta Connection Flight 3788 perform a ‘go-around’ after the military aircraft became visible in its flight path.
Passenger Monica Green, who was aboard the flight departing from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, described the experience as “absolutely terrifying.” Her social media posts, including a video of the pilot’s candid message to passengers after the safe landing, quickly went viral on TikTok.
In the pilot’s recorded message, he explained that air traffic control had not warned them about the B-52. Realizing the large military plane was on a converging course, he made the immediate decision to turn behind it for safety. He apologized for the “aggressive maneuver,” acknowledging it was highly unusual and expressed frustration over the lack of communication, especially given the Minot tower’s reliance on visual guidance rather than radar.
The Air Force confirmed that a B-52 assigned to Minot Air Force Base was conducting a flyover for the North Dakota State Fair on Friday night. Both SkyWest Airlines, which operates the Delta Connection flight, and the Air Force have stated they are actively investigating the close call to determine the cause and prevent future occurrences.
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