Pilot avoids midair collision with B-52 using 'aggressive maneuver'
Share and Follow


() The pilot of a Delta regional flight heading for Minot, North Dakota, avoided a midair collision with a B-52 bomber Friday by performing an “aggressive maneuver.”

The plane, operated by SkyWest, departed from Minneapolis and did not have the military jet on its radar.

“Nobody told us about it,” the pilot told passengers, recorded on audio by a woman on the plane.

“So sorry about the aggressive maneuver, it caught me by surprise, this is not normal at all,” the pilot can be heard saying. “I don’t know why they didn’t give us a heads-up because the Air Force base does have radar … long story short, it was not fun, but I do apologize for it and thank you for understanding.”

Minot Air Force Base is about 13 miles north of the Minot International Airport. The commercial pilot received a report from the air traffic control tower about an aircraft coming toward them. He was instructed to turn right, but he didn’t.

“He said, ‘Turn right.’ I said, ‘There’s an airplane over there.’ He says, ‘Turn left,’ and by the time we (were) back to clearance, we looked over and saw the airplane that was coming on a converging course with us,” the pilot said.

He turned behind it instead.

“They are a lot faster than us, and I felt that was the safest thing to do, turn behind it,” the pilot said.

Passengers began clapping after the pilot finished his announcement.

Monica Green, who recorded the audio, told a local news outlet that passengers were “weirdly calm,” despite the tense situation.

“I felt like I was gaslighting myself, like maybe I was being crazy because no one else was reacting,” Green told KFYR. “ The pilot got on the intercom and said, ‘Sorry everybody, I’ll explain everything when we land safely.’ The way he said it, it almost sounded like he was insinuating that landing safely might not be an option for a moment. We all just kind of looked at each other and stayed quiet.”

Delta and SkyWest have not responded to ‘s request for comment as of publication.

Video filmed by passenger Monica Green onboard flight DL3788 captured the announcement made by the pilot explaining the “aggressive maneuver” he conducted to avoid hitting a nearby Air Force B-52 bomber near Minot International Airport in North Dakota on Friday, July 18. (Monica Green via Storyful)
Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Dear Abby: My son chose Disneyland over his sick aunt

Family Dilemma: When a Trip to Disneyland Takes Priority Over a Sick Aunt

DEAR ABBY: My sister recently fell seriously ill and had to spend…
Putin says Russia won't launch new attacks on other countries 'if you treat us with respect'

Putin Asserts Russia Will Refrain from New Attacks if Treated with Respect

In a recent statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin assured that Moscow would…
Exclusive | How Trump's divided loyalties sapped Stefanik's campaign

Trump’s Divided Loyalties Undermine Stefanik’s Campaign: An In-Depth Analysis

New York Republicans were taken aback when Rep. Elise Stefanik seemingly concluded…
Florida divorcee, 48, accused of gunning down both of her ex-husbands in same-day fatal shootings

Shocking Double Homicide: Florida Woman Allegedly Murders Both Ex-Husbands in One Day

A Florida woman, described as unhinged after her divorce, was arrested following…
President Donald Trump speaks during an executive order signing regarding marijuana in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

States Weigh Adoption of Trump’s Tax Cuts on Tips and Overtime: A Crucial Decision Ahead

As legislative sessions kick off next year, a pressing question looms over…
Woman’s controversial train act sparks debate over chivalry

Woman’s Unexpected Train Behavior Ignites Chivalry Debate

Attention, ladies—chivalry might just be a thing of the past. One TikTok…
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor seen lying across women in Epstein files

New Epstein Documents Reveal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in Controversial Photo

A recently unveiled photograph has surfaced, depicting Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lounging across the…
Where can I find the Epstein files? How to access the newly released documents

Unlocking the Epstein Files: How to Access Newly Released Documents in 2023

In a significant move, the Justice Department has unveiled thousands of pages…