A heart-stopping incident unfolded in the skies above North Dakota when a Delta SkyWest passenger jet was forced to take evasive action to avoid a potential collision with a US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber.
Close Call at 8,000 Feet
The terrifying near-miss occurred on Wednesday as SkyWest Flight 5128, operating as Delta Connection, was descending toward Minot International Airport. Air traffic control recordings reveal the moment pilots spotted the massive bomber directly in their flight path at approximately 8,000 feet altitude.
Pilot's Quick Thinking Averts Disaster
"Traffic! Traffic! We're turning left!" the SkyWest captain can be heard shouting in radio transmissions obtained by aviation authorities. The CRJ-900 regional jet executed a sharp banking maneuver to create separation from the B-52, which was conducting training operations from nearby Minot Air Force Base.
FAA Launches Urgent Investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed it is investigating the incident, which occurred in controlled airspace about 15 miles northeast of the airport. Preliminary reports suggest the military aircraft may have deviated from its assigned altitude without proper clearance.
- Key Details:
- Incident occurred at approximately 3:15pm local time
- SkyWest flight carrying 76 passengers and crew
- Vertical separation reduced to just 600 feet at closest point
- No injuries reported despite severe turbulence during evasive action
Passengers Unaware of Danger
Remarkably, most passengers remained unaware of the gravity of the situation, with many assuming the sudden maneuver was routine turbulence. "We felt the plane bank sharply, but the crew kept everything very professional," said one passenger who wished to remain anonymous.
Military-Civilian Airspace Concerns
This incident has reignited concerns about increasing airspace congestion near military training facilities. Minot Air Force Base, home to nuclear-capable B-52 bombers, frequently conducts training exercises in the region's airspace.
Aviation safety experts warn that such near-miss events, while rare, highlight growing challenges in coordinating military and civilian flight operations. The FAA and Department of Defense are expected to review procedures following this latest scare.
