The pilot of a SkyWest Embraer 175E passenger plane, operating a Delta Airlines flight from Minneapolis to Minot, North Dakota, managed to prevent a mid-air collision after a sudden maneuver after noticing a military B-52 bomber ahead of him, American media reported, reports News.bg.
Shortly before landing at the Minot airport on July 18, air traffic controllers instructed the pilot to make a right turn. However, he refused after noticing an unidentified object in the direction of the flight. Upon receiving a new instruction to turn left, the pilot saw that an oncoming aircraft, a military B-52, was flying on a trajectory that intersected that of the passenger plane.
Immediately aborting the landing, the pilot performed a sharp climb and turn to the left, with the plane banking significantly to one side.
“The plane literally banked to one side, through the window I could only see the ground and grass, not the horizon“, shares one of the passengers.
After successfully avoiding danger and landing, the pilot turned to the passengers over the intercom and apologized:
“That wasn't normal. It wasn't pleasant. I apologize and thank you for your understanding. It wasn't an easy day at the office.
The incident is particularly concerning because Minot Airport doesn't have a radar system, and air traffic controllers are working "by eye." There is a military base in the area with its own radar, but it's unclear why information about the B-52's flight wasn't passed on to civilian authorities.
SkyWest Airlines has launched an investigation into the incident, and aviation experts are stressing the need for better coordination between civil and military aviation, especially in areas with limited airspace control.