Aviator alerts travelers that they narrowly escaped a catastrophic crash in mid-air.
On a routine flight from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Minot, North Dakota on July 18, 2025, SkyWest Flight 3788, a Delta Airlines regional jet operating an Embraer E175, came perilously close to a catastrophic mid-air collision with a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber.
During the final approach, the Delta pilot, under immense pressure, executed an aggressive go-around maneuver to avoid a collision. The sudden turns and jerks were felt by the passengers, who were later reassured by the pilot's apology, acknowledging it as an "unpleasant day at work."
Social media users expressed their gratitude towards the pilot for his quick actions, with one Instagram user praising him for saving the lives of everyone on board. Another user thanked the air pilot for making an executive decision that prevented a disaster. One third user expressed empathy for the pilot, acknowledging the high pressure he was under during the incident.
The approaching plane was a military aircraft, the speed of which was significantly greater than the commercial plane. The pilot's announcement to the passengers during the flight revealed that they had been involved in a potentially terrifying mid-air incident.
The incident has raised serious concerns about coordination and communication between civilian air traffic control and military operations within shared airspace. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced an investigation into the incident to determine why the Delta flight was not warned of the B-52’s operations nearby and to assess airspace safety protocols around military installations.
It was also revealed that the plane was relying on visuals from air traffic control because there was no radar at that particular airport. This incident underscores the risks posed by overlapping civilian and military flight paths and the need for improved communication to prevent future near-misses.
In the aftermath of the near-miss incident, finance experts speculated about potential insurance ramifications for the aviation industry, questioning whether SkyWest or Delta Airlines could face increased premiums due to this event.
Also, within the sports world, the incident sparked discussions, with many athletes and sports personalities expressing admiration for the pilot's quick reflexes, comparing his actions to those of top athletes who perform under immense pressure.
