Delta Regional Jet Forced to Take Drastic Action to Avoid Mid-Air Collision with Military Bomber [Video]

Passengers on a Delta Connection flight got more than they bargained for when their regional jet had to take a sudden, sharp maneuver to avoid colliding with a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber near Minot, North Dakota.

Video:

The incident occurred on July 18, 2025, as the SkyWest-operated flight from Minneapolis approached Minot International Airport. According to a recording of the pilot’s announcement, the Embraer E175LR jet had to bank abruptly to avoid the much larger, faster bomber. The unexpected move left passengers shaken, with the pilot apologizing and explaining that the Air Force plane was moving much faster than anticipated.

“I felt it was the safest thing to do to turn behind it,” the pilot told passengers after the plane landed safely. “Not a fun day at work, but we’re safe.”

The Air Force has confirmed that a B-52 assigned to Minot Air Force Base was conducting a flyover for the North Dakota State Fair that same evening. It’s not clear how close the two aircraft came to each other or if cockpit warning alarms went off during the encounter.

SkyWest and the Air Force are both investigating the near-miss.