Air traffic controllers in North Dakota failed to warn a US Air Force B-52 bomber about an approaching passenger jet, which was forced to take evasive action to avoid a midair collision, the military claimed.
The B-52 Stratofortress from Minot Air Force Base was participating in a scheduled flyover at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot Saturday night, just minutes before tragedy nearly struck, according to the Air Force.
The planned maneuver had been cleared in advance with the Federal Aviation Administration and air traffic controllers at both Minot International Airport and Minot Air Force Base, with military crews in direct contact throughout, officials said.
“The B-52 crew contacted Minot International Airport tower and the tower provided instructions to continue 2 miles westbound after the flyover,” military officials said in a statement Monday.
“The tower did not advise of the inbound commercial aircraft. The B-52 crossed the fairgrounds show center at 7:50 p.m. and proceeded west as directed to clear Minot International Tower’s airspace before returning to Minot AFB.”
The SkyWest Airlines flight – en route from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Minot International Airport – made an unexpected series of “aggressive” sharp turns mid-air to avoid the incoming bomber, which was reportedly visible from the right-side windows to both crew and passengers.
Video taken by a passenger aboard the harrowing Delta-operated aircraft captured the quick-thinking pilot explaining to the 76 travelers and four crew members onboard that he banked hard after spotting the bomber directly in the landing path given by air traffic control.
“Sorry about the aggressive maneuver,” the heroic pilot said in the footage shared on social media.
“It caught me by surprise. This is not normal at all. I don’t know why they didn’t give us a heads-up, because the Air Force base does have radar … long story short, it was not fun, but I do apologize for it, and thank you for understanding. Not a fun day at work.”
While the plane landed safely, the near-miss marks the latest in a string of alarming aviation incidents and tragedies to rattle the skies since the start of the year.
The FAA is investigating Saturday’s incident.
With Post wires.
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