Delta Jet Dodges B-52 in Sharp Manoeuvre
A Delta Connection regional jet was forced to make an aggressive mid-air manoeuvre to avoid a possible collision with a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber. The incident took place near Minot International Airport, North Dakota, as the commercial flight was approaching for landing.
The aircraft, operated by SkyWest for Delta Air Lines, was en route from Minneapolis when the pilots noticed the military aircraft unexpectedly approaching their path. The Delta jet immediately altered its course, executing a sharp evasive turn to ensure passenger safety.
Pilot Communicates with Passengers
After safely landing, the pilot spoke directly to the passengers, apologising for the sudden movement and explaining that the manoeuvre was necessary due to the close proximity of the B-52 bomber. He clarified that no prior air traffic warning had been given and that the decision was made in the interest of safety.
Air Traffic Coordination Under Scrutiny
The incident has raised serious concerns about airspace coordination, especially when civilian flights share routes near military airbases. According to preliminary findings, the Delta crew was cleared for landing and was not alerted about the presence of military traffic in the area. The situation is currently under investigation by both aviation authorities and the U.S. military.
All Passengers Safe
The aircraft involved was an Embraer E175, a short-haul regional jet. Passengers remained unharmed, though some expressed initial concern during the abrupt movement. The calm and immediate response by the flight crew helped reassure those on board.
Potential Policy Review Ahead
This near-miss has sparked conversations about the need for tighter communication protocols between civil aviation and military operations. Authorities are expected to review procedures for shared airspace to prevent similar situations in the future.
