Delta Pilot Makes Emergency Turn to Avoid Air Force Bomber

Introduction: A Close Call in the Sky

Commercial and military aviation intersect more often than the public realizes—but rarely with consequences this tense. In early July 2025, a Delta Air Lines pilot was forced to make an emergency evasive turn after a near-collision with a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber over eastern Colorado.

While no one was injured and the Delta flight continued safely to its destination, the incident triggered investigations by both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Defense.

What Happened

According to preliminary reports:

• The Delta aircraft was cruising at 34,000 feet en route from Los Angeles to Minneapolis.

• Air traffic control (ATC) alerted the pilot to "unidentified traffic" approaching fast.

• Visual confirmation revealed a B-1B bomber flying at a converging angle and altitude.

The Delta pilot initiated an emergency banked turn to the left, narrowly avoiding the bomber. Passengers experienced minor turbulence but no injuries were reported.

The Military Response

U.S. Air Force officials confirmed the bomber was conducting a "training mission" but had not expected civilian traffic in that flight corridor. The Air Force is now reviewing:

• Why coordination failed

• Whether flight plans were filed correctly

• If the bomber's transponder was active

Officials say there was no intent of aggression and labeled the encounter a "procedural oversight."

FAA Investigation Underway

The FAA has launched a parallel investigation into airspace coordination between civil and military traffic. Questions being explored include:

• Did ATC have full visibility on both aircraft?

• Were standard military-civilian coordination protocols followed?

• Could the collision warning system (TCAS) have failed or been disabled?

The agency emphasized that "midair proximity events are rare, but taken extremely seriously."

Passenger Reactions

Several passengers took to social media describing the incident as "sudden," "scary," and "like a movie." One traveler reported seeing "a large dark aircraft passing the window at a weird angle."

Delta has not commented beyond confirming the safety of the flight and commending the pilot for swift, decisive action.

Final Thoughts: Airspace, Shared

This incident underscores the delicate balance of shared airspace between commercial airlines and military operations. While both sectors follow strict protocols, near-misses like this are reminders that coordination lapses can have serious consequences.

The professionalism of the Delta pilot likely prevented a disaster. Now it's up to federal and military agencies to ensure this doesn’t happen again—because in shared skies, split seconds make all the difference.