Bismarck: A major tragedy was averted as a commercial pilot performed an “aggressive” evasive manoeuvre to avoid a midair collision with a US Air Force B-52 bomber. The incident took place on Saturday night (local time) over North Dakota when the Embraer E175 jet came close to colliding with a B-52 Stratofortress from Minot Air Force base.
The Delta Airlines' Embraer E175 jet was en route from Minneapolis-Saint Paul to Minot International Airport in North Dakota when the incident took place, reported The New York Post.
The Delta Airlines pilot reportedly executed an “aggressive manoeuvre” to avoid the incoming bomber. As per the passengers of the plane, the atmosphere was calm, and the pilot suddenly took some sharp turns. After performing the manoeuvre, the pilot said sorry and reportedly told passengers that he would explain everything to them upon landing.
"I felt like I was gaslighting myself, like maybe I was being crazy, because no one else was reacting,” passenger Monica Green said as reported by KFYR TV. Green further added that when the plane took a really hard turn, the pilot got on the intercom and said "sorry everybody, I’ll explain everything when we land safely".
As per the pilot, he had no prior warning of military air traffic. After the plane landed, passengers thanked the pilot for his quick response and for maintaining transparency.
Notably, the commercial aircraft involved in the incident was a Delta Connection regional jet. It was being operated by SkyWest Airlines.
"SkyWest flight 3788, operating as Delta Connection from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Minot, North Dakota on July 18, landed safely in Minot after being cleared for approach by the tower but performed a go-around when another aircraft became visible in their flight path," SkyWest told The Post Sunday. An investigation has been launched into the matter.
