SkyWest Flight Aborts Landing to Avoid Midair Collision Near Military Base
SkyWest Flight Aborts Landing to Avoid Midair Collision Near Military Base

After the passenger jet landed safely in North Dakota, the pilot told passengers that he had made an “aggressive maneuver” to avoid hitting a military aircraft.
Read the full article on NY Times World
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article presents a near mid-air collision event. While the core event is corroborated by multiple sources, there are discrepancies regarding the airline involved (SkyWest vs. Delta) and some details remain unverified. The article exhibits a moderate bias through potentially sensationalized language and selective reporting.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: SkyWest Flight Aborted Landing to Avoid Midair Collision Near Military Base
- Verification Source #1: Reports a Delta jet aborted landing to avoid a B-52 collision near Minot Airport, North Dakota.
- Verification Source #2: Reports a Delta Air Lines jet aborted landing to avoid a collision with a B-52 bomber near a North Dakota US Air Force base.
- Verification Source #3: Mentions a Skywest flight but in a context that doesn't directly confirm or deny the collision event. It references a 'Delta pilot debriefs cabin after near mid air collision'.
- Verification Source #4: Reports a Delta Air Lines Inc. jet aborted landing to avoid a midair collision with a B-52 bomber in North Dakota.
- Assessment: Contradicted. The majority of sources identify the airline as Delta, not SkyWest. Source 3 mentions Skywest but doesn't confirm the incident.
- Claim: The pilot made an 'aggressive maneuver' to avoid hitting a military aircraft.
- Verification Source #2: States the US airliner moved 'aggressively' to avoid collision with a B-52 bomber.
- Verification Source #4: States a Delta jet 'aggressively moved' to avoid a B-52 collision.
- Assessment: Supported. Multiple sources confirm the 'aggressive maneuver' aspect.
- Claim: The incident occurred near a military base in North Dakota.
- Verification Source #1: Reports the incident near Minot Airport, North Dakota.
- Verification Source #2: Reports the incident near a North Dakota US Air Force base.
- Verification Source #4: Implies the incident occurred in North Dakota.
- Assessment: Supported. Multiple sources confirm the location as North Dakota, near either an airport or a military base.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Sources 1, 2, and 4 identify the airline as Delta, contradicting the article's claim of SkyWest.
- Sources 2 and 4 use the phrase 'aggressively moved' or 'aggressive maneuver', supporting the article's description of the pilot's actions.