Delta pilot’s ‘aggressive maneuver’ evades B-52 bomber, prevents mid-air collision in harrowing flight nightmare

A fast-thinking commercial pilot executed an “aggressive” evasive maneuver to avoid a midair collision with a US Air Force B-52 bomber over North Dakota.

The Embraer E175 jet — en route from Minneapolis-Saint Paul to Minot International Airport in North Dakota — came perilously close to colliding with a B-52 Stratofortress from Minot Air Force Base Saturday night.

The Delta Connection pilot performed an “aggressive maneuver” to avoid the incoming bomber, which crew members as well as passengers on the right side of the jet could see from their windows, Aviation A2Z reported.

A quick-thinking pilot’s maneuver potentially avoided disaster. AFP via Getty Images

The pilot told passengers over the plane’s public address system that he received instructions from air traffic controllers to change direction due to inadequate separation from a preceding aircraft on the approach path.

He explained that he had no prior warning of military air traffic, and determined the safest course of action was to turn the plane behind the bomber, the outlet writes.

After the plane landed safely, relieved passengers thanked the pilot for his transparency during the frightening near-miss.