URGENT UPDATE: A Delta flight narrowly avoided a mid-air collision with a B-52 bomber over North Dakota on Friday, raising serious safety concerns. The incident occurred as SkyWest flight 3788, operating as Delta Connection, was en route from Minneapolis to Minot.
The pilot executed an “aggressive maneuver” to evade the bomber, which is part of the US Air Force fleet stationed at Minot Air Force Base. Passengers were left shaken, with the pilot expressing surprise at the lack of communication from air traffic control. “I don’t know why they didn’t give us a heads up at all,” he stated in a recorded conversation, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
The flight had been cleared for approach when the B-52 unexpectedly appeared, prompting the pilot to take immediate action. “It caught me by surprise; this is not normal at all,” he added. “I felt it was the safest thing to do to turn behind it.” Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely in Minot, but the incident has raised alarms regarding air safety protocols.
SkyWest Airlines, the operator of the flight, confirmed that an investigation is underway. They stated, “The flight was cleared for approach by the tower but performed a go-around when another aircraft became visible.” Meanwhile, representatives from the US Air Force Central Command and the Federal Aviation Administration have not yet commented on the incident.
This close call underscores the ongoing concerns about air traffic management, particularly in areas with military operations. In another recent incident, an American Airlines flight tragically collided with a UH-60 Black Hawk near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in January, resulting in the loss of all 67 people aboard both aircraft.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are likely to scrutinize existing protocols to prevent such dangerous encounters in the future. For now, the focus remains on the safety of air travel and the well-being of passengers.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
