Delta regional pilot makes 'aggressive maneuver' to avoid B-52 collision
Last edited Sun Jul 20, 2025, 08:20 PM - Edit history (1)
Source: ABC News
A Delta regional jet on approach to Minot, North Dakota, made an "aggressive maneuver" to avoid a mid-air collision with a B-52 bomber, according to the Delta pilot.
The incident took place on July 18, according to the airline. The flight, operated by SkyWest, had departed from Minneapolis. Once on the ground, the pilot apologized to passengers for the abrupt move and explained the situation.
"Given his speed ... I don't know how fast they were going, but they were a lot faster than us, I felt it was the safest thing to do to turn behind it," the pilot said, according to a recording of the conversation. "So sorry about the aggressive maneuver, it caught me by surprise, this is not normal at all. 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. Not a fun day at work."
It's unclear how close the two jets came from each other or if a cockpit alarm was activated to warn the pilots of a potential collision. Minot is home to an Air Force base with B-52 bombers.
Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/delta-regional-pilot-takes-evasive-action-avoid-52/story?id=123908431

John1956PA
(4,298 posts)
A Love Shack it aint.
AllaN01Bear
(26,505 posts)as slim pickens rides the atomic bomb to its target going yeeee haaa , ye hha ha . im glad the airliner was able to do correct evasivives .
WinstonSmith4740
(3,359 posts)One of my favorites...keep an eye on the Russian ambassador at around the 3:00 mark when KIssinger, excuse me, Strangelove is battling his arm. He's barely holding it together.
ProudMNDemocrat
(19,896 posts)Minot AFB is huge! Spent 2 nights there 10 years ago.
The Minot airport is not that far away.
Jose Garcia
(3,249 posts)Sorry, that was the the first thing that I thought of when I read the headline. Actually, I'm not sorry.
BidenRocks
(1,857 posts)Chumps budget cuts.
ATC should be on the carpet at both airports.
Failure to maintain separation and the questionable decision to slot in behind the Heavy.
Wingtip vortices could have caused a loss of control.
This was a flying circus!
rickford66
(5,912 posts)Should have heard "TRAFFIC TRAFFIC" well before the evasive action was needed.
BidenRocks
(1,857 posts)small regional jet earlier this year?
Does a BUFF have TCAS?
Is it turned on?
rickford66
(5,912 posts)The B-52 may have had his turned off or they may have been too low to receive an advisory and resolution. But that would be pretty low, maybe 1000 ft or so. I coded and debugged TCAS algorithms over 15 years ago, so I don't remember much more.