Delta Pilot Avoids Collision With B-52 Bomber Over North Dakota

On July 18, a Delta Connection flight operated by SkyWest Airlines narrowly avoided a midair collision with a US Air Force B-52 bomber near Minot, North Dakota. The Embraer E175 regional jet was on final approach to Minot International Airport when the B-52 suddenly appeared on a converging path, prompting the Delta pilot to execute an aggressive evasive maneuver to prevent a crash. The pilot apologized to passengers after landing, explaining that air traffic control had warned of inadequate separation from a preceding aircraft but failed to alert them of the military presence. The incident, visible to passengers on the jet, triggered parallel investigations by SkyWest Airlines and the Air Force, which has not yet released details about the proximity of the aircraft or the lack of prior warnings. No injuries were reported, but the encounter raised serious concerns about communication and safety protocols between military and civilian air traffic near Minot Air Force Base. The pilot described the event as unexpected and stressful, emphasizing the rarity and danger of such an encounter.