Delta Regional Jet Pilot Averts Midair Collision with B-52 Bomber
A Delta regional jet pilot on SkyWest Flight 3788 from Minneapolis to Minot executed an aggressive maneuver, narrowly avoiding a midair collision with a B-52 bomber, prompting investigations.
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Overview
- A Delta regional jet, SkyWest Flight 3788, narrowly avoided a midair collision with a B-52 bomber during its flight from Minneapolis to Minot.
- The pilot of the Delta regional jet executed an "aggressive maneuver" to prevent the collision, highlighting a serious close call in the airspace.
- The Delta regional jet pilot later apologized for the maneuver, with audio of the apology circulating widely on TikTok and other social media platforms.
- SkyWest Airlines has launched an investigation into this specific close call, alongside another separate incident involving one of its aircraft.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is actively gathering information regarding this incident and other similar aircraft maneuvers designed to prevent collisions.
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Analysis
center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the potential danger and human impact of the "near-collision." This is achieved by immediately linking the incident to a past fatal crash and prominently featuring the emotional accounts of the pilot and a passenger. Despite later expert analysis, the initial narrative choices heighten the sense of alarm and the personal experience.
"The near-collision Friday comes just six months after a military helicopter collided with a passenger plane near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, killing 67 people."
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FAQ
It remains unclear exactly how close the two aircraft came. Some witnesses speculated the B-52 passed dangerously close, possibly even below the commercial jet, but no official distance has been confirmed yet[1].
The article and video state that it is unclear whether the Delta jet's collision avoidance system was activated during the event[1].
The lack of radar coverage for final approaches at Minot airport and reliance on visual separation between aircraft—especially given the presence of an Air Force base with radar capabilities—has drawn scrutiny as a possible factor in the close call[1].
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is gathering information about the incident, as is typical in such close-call events, but does not control the Minot tower. Their findings will be part of the safety review and may inform future airspace management policies[1].
SkyWest Airlines issued a statement confirming the incident and stating that the flight landed safely after performing a go-around when another aircraft became visible in their flight path. Audio of the pilot’s apology circulated on social media, but the airline itself has not released an official apology for the maneuver[1].
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