Southwest airline crew members experience injuries as plane makes emergency evasive maneuver to avoid mid-air crash
In a recent incident, a SkyWest Airlines passenger jet was forced to take evasive action to avoid a potential mid-air collision with a US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress near Minot International Airport, North Dakota. This incident marks the second close call for a US commercial jet in a week, highlighting ongoing concerns about the safety of civilian aircraft in the presence of military aircraft.
The commercial airliner on approach had to veer sharply, executing an aggressive maneuver that surprised passengers. The B-52 crew was not informed about the passenger jet's presence despite being nearby, and the commercial pilot expressed frustration that the Air Force base did not provide a heads-up. Air traffic control operated visually without radar at the airport tower, complicating situational awareness.
This near-miss incident comes after a deadly midair collision over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in January 2025, which resulted in 67 fatalities. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) later revealed that there were 85 dangerous close calls between helicopters and planes in the previous three years near that area, with collision alarms calling for evasive action at least monthly since 2011.
Communication failures, air traffic control limitations, operational complexity, and radar coverage gaps are identified as the primary causes for these close calls and incidents. In the case of the B-52 and SkyWest Airlines jet, communication gaps and limited air traffic control resources were likely factors.
The US Air Force confirmed a B-52 jet bomber assigned to Minot Air Force Base had conducted a ceremonial flyover of the North Dakota State Fair last Friday. However, the Minot International Airport control tower did not advise of the inbound commercial aircraft, despite the potential risk.
In a separate incident, Southwest Flight 1496 experienced a sharp descent of nearly 500 feet during takeoff from Burbank, California. The plane came within 7.82km of another aircraft laterally and 107m vertically. The other aircraft involved was identified as a Hawker Hunter fighter jet, a British-built aircraft. Two flight attendants were treated for injuries.
The Air Force said the bomber cockpit crew was in contact with local air traffic control before, during, and after the flyover, but the Minot International Airport control tower did not advise of the inbound commercial aircraft. The pilot of Southwest Flight 1496 informed passengers after the incident that they almost collided with another plane.
These incidents have brought renewed focus on military traffic near civilian airplanes. Since an Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines regional jet on January 29 near Reagan National, killing 67 people, efforts are being made to review and improve coordination between military and civilian aviation authorities to prevent future near misses. The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are currently investigating several close calls and incidents, including one involving a Delta Airbus A319 jet and a group of Air Force jets near Reagan Washington National Airport in March.
As the investigation into these incidents continues, it is clear that improving communication, air traffic control, and situational awareness between military and civilian aircraft is crucial for the safety of all passengers and crew.
- The World News has reported an incident involving a SkyWest Airlines passenger jet and a US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, highlighting ongoing concerns about the safety of civilian aircraft in the presence of military aircraft in the art of aviation.
- The near-collision between the commercial jet and the military bomber near Minot International Airport, North Dakota, occurred due to communication gaps and limited air traffic control resources, which are identified as primary causes of such incidents in the general-news sector.
- In a related event, Southwest Flight 1496 experienced a dangerous descent during takeoff from Burbank, California, coming close to another aircraft, a Hawker Hunter fighter jet, in the complex world of sport-related transportation and crime-and-justice.
- In light of these incidents, the focus has shifted to improving coordination between military and civilian aviation authorities, with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA investigating several close calls and incidents involving commercial and military aircraft.
- The public-transit and transportation industry have been reminded of the importance of safety in their operations, as the recent near-misses serve as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of car-accidents and fires in this interconnected world.
- In the financial industry, these incidents could lead to increased insurance premiums for airlines and changes in policies regarding military cooperation.
- Politicians have called for stricter regulations and better protocols for military traffic near civilian airplanes, citing the potential for war-and-conflicts if a collision were to occur.
- The NTSB and FAA's ongoing investigations aim to provide recommendations for improved communication, air traffic control, and situational awareness between military and civilian aircraft to prevent future near misses and ensure the safety of all passengers and crew in the news headlines.
