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
Chilling mystery of 'toddler's foot' in Epstein files snap

Unraveling the Enigma: Mysterious ‘Toddler’s Foot’ Photograph Discovered in Epstein Files

On Friday, a massive release of documents known as the Epstein files…
Teen survives sepsis, four amputations and makes it to prom as queen

Teen Overcomes Sepsis and Amputations to Become Prom Queen

“I don’t have my long legs anymore.” These poignant words were…
Inside former Prince Andrew's humiliating last Royal Lodge Christmas

Former Prince Andrew Faces Humiliation During Final Christmas at Royal Lodge

Battling the relentless downpour and the biting winds of fate, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor…
MAGA civil war erupts at Turning Point USA event

Turning Point USA Event Sparks Intense MAGA Factional Conflict

The first Turning Point USA AmericaFest since the passing of its founder…
Former Seattle Mariners first round pick Mike Campbell dead at 61

Former Mariners First-Round Draft Pick Mike Campbell Passes Away at 61

Mike Campbell, a former first-round draft selection by the Seattle Mariners, has…
What to know about the link between the Brown University and MIT shootings

Understanding the Connection Between Brown University and MIT Shootings: Key Insights

A gunman is suspected to have been behind the tragic deaths of…
Substitute teacher arrested after encouraging kids to fight at Duval County middle school, police say

Duval County Substitute Teacher Faces Arrest for Allegedly Promoting Student Fights

A 29-year-old woman named Ladejah Shaw is facing several charges after allegedly…
Epstein victims speak out over 'lack of transparency' in files drop

Epstein Victims Demand Justice: Exposing the Hidden Truths Behind Sealed Files

At least half a dozen victims of Jeffrey Epstein have spoken out,…