Delta pilot makes sudden maneuver to avoid collision with B-52 bomber

A Delta connection flight operated by SkyWest was forced to perform a sudden go-around while landing in Minot, North Dakota, to avoid a potential collision with an Air Force B-52 bomber.

SkyWest Flight 3788 from Minneapolis had been cleared to land on July 18 when the pilot spotted another aircraft in the flight path. According to the airline, the pilot took evasive action and later told passengers the B-52 appeared on a converging course without warning.

Flight data shows the regional jet made a sharp right turn and climbed before circling back to land safely. “This is not normal at all,” the pilot told passengers, apologizing for the “aggressive maneuver.” The cabin reportedly broke into applause after the announcement.

While modern planes are safer than ever thanks to advanced technology and stricter regulations, flight-related incidents are once again making headlines. Experts point to factors like pilot and air traffic controller fatigue, maintenance issues, and staffing shortages as growing concerns. On top of that, climate change is introducing more unpredictable and hazardous flying conditions, from extreme turbulence to sudden weather shifts.

Click through this gallery to see how the world’s changing weather is making flying more dangerous.

Accidents

In the past few years, incidents involving commercial flights have increased significantly. More recently, on January 29, a tragic mid-air collision occurred near Washington, D.C., involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter. The American Airlines flight was descending toward Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when it collided with the military helicopter, resulting in the deaths of all 67 individuals aboard both aircraft.

Climate change

Many aviation experts have wondered why these incidents have become more commonplace, and the answer seems to now be obvious: climate change. Not only is commercial air travel responsible for an estimated 3.5% of human-caused climate change, but planes themselves are falling victim to its effects.

Turbulence

As climate change ravages the world, it is leading to more severe and unpredictable weather patterns, which is increasing turbulence, storms, and other hazardous conditions for flights.

Northern Hemisphere

The Northern Hemisphere in particular has seen a major increase in accidents while in the air. The reason? The wind currents in the Earth’s upper atmosphere that flow from west to east (known as jet streams) are actually speeding up.

Hail

Even hail has been proven to cause issues for flights. In June 2024, an Austrian Airlines plane's nosecone was nearly destroyed thanks to the hail of a thunderstorm that the plane had passed through.

Weather extremes

Other extreme weather events are also becoming common as climate change affects the planet, including hurricanes and typhoons. These events pose significant risks to aircraft during takeoff, flight, and landing phases.

Flooded runways

Airports are often built in low, flat areas that are ideal for runways. As a result, they are often prone to major periods of flooding. According to a study conducted in 2021, more than 100 airports around the world are located below sea level.

Heat

The increased risk of flooding isn’t the only issue being faced by airports thanks to global warming. As rising surface temperatures and heat waves affect the globe, aircraft are also negatively impacted.

Melting point

But difficulty getting a plane airborne is only one of the issues that increased temperatures is causing. Heat waves have also caused many airplanes to encounter melting tarmacs or melting tires while standing on the runway.

Beverage bombs

Shockingly, the searing summer heat that has affected many parts of North America has also caused soda cans to explode mid-flight. The beverage bombs have the potential to severely injure flight crew and passengers.

Bird strikes

Climate change also carries with it the negative risk of affecting wildlife in relation to airplane travel. More precisely, airplanes were already at major risk of bird strikes, but this risk has increased over the years. In the United States, more than 14,000 bird strikes are reported every year, which can cause significant damage to aircraft engines.

Cybersecurity threats

With the increasing reliance on digital systems for flight operations, the threat of cyberattacks has also grown. Hackers targeting aviation systems can potentially disrupt flights, steal sensitive data, or even cause crashes by interfering with navigation and communication systems.

Global conflict zones

Flights that pass over or near conflict zones are also at a higher risk of being targeted or encountering unexpected hazards. The downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine is one example that highlights the dangers of flying over such regions.

Runway incursions

The risk of runway incursions (where aircraft, vehicles, or people mistakenly enter an active runway) has increased with the rise in airport traffic. These incidents can lead to collisions during takeoff and landing. In fact, aviation experts have reported that runway incursions in the US occur at a rate of nearly 2,000 annually.

Pilot substance abuse

Although there are heavy regulations put in place by airlines, instances of pilot substance abuse have occurred in the past. This can severely impair a pilot’s ability to operate an aircraft safely, increasing the risk of accidents due to impaired judgment or motor skills.