Passengers aboard a Delta Airlines jet experienced sheer panic when their flight narrowly avoided a catastrophic mid-air collision with a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber. Bloodcurdling footage taken from inside the aircraft shows screaming passengers gripping their seats, overhead compartments rattling, and cabin lights flickering as the pilot made a sharp evasive maneuver to avoid a blazing fireball that suddenly appeared outside the left wing.
The incident occurred at cruising altitude, mid-flight across U.S. airspace, when air traffic control systems reportedly failed to properly coordinate the flight paths of the commercial airliner and the military aircraft. The B-52, flying a training route, was operating in a nearby corridor when the two crafts came within what officials later called “an unacceptably close range.”
According to witness accounts and footage shared by terrified travelers, the moment of terror began with a sudden jolt—followed by the deafening roar of engines as the Delta pilot performed a rapid descent and banked away from what appeared to be a flaming object outside the cabin windows. “People were screaming, crying, some praying,” one passenger recounted. “You could see the panic on everyone’s faces.”
Cell phone video taken from row 17 shows passengers gasping as a massive flash of orange light streaks past the window. The flames were later determined to be the result of an engine flare or fuel burn-off from the military jet, which was conducting high-altitude maneuvers in the area. Though the exact distance between the two aircrafts was not publicly confirmed, aviation experts say it was likely within just a few hundred feet—a dangerously small buffer at those speeds.
The Delta pilot’s swift and calm response likely saved hundreds of lives, according to aviation analysts. Audio from cockpit recordings reportedly reveals the pilot shouting “Climb, climb, climb—now!” before calmly alerting passengers of a sudden change in flight level. The aircraft remained stable following the maneuver and landed safely at its scheduled destination, though paramedics met the flight to assist shaken passengers and check for injuries.
The FAA and military aviation authorities have launched a joint investigation into how the near-collision occurred, focusing on radar coordination and airspace management protocols. While such close encounters are rare, they are not unheard of—especially in areas where civilian and military air corridors intersect.
In a brief statement, Delta commended the flight crew for their professionalism and rapid response during the emergency. “Our pilots followed procedure to ensure the safety of all on board. We are cooperating fully with aviation authorities.”
The U.S. Air Force also released a comment acknowledging the incident and stating that a full review of the B-52’s flight path and mission parameters was underway.
Social media has since been flooded with posts from passengers who were on the flight, with many calling the experience “the most terrifying moment of their lives.” Several praised the pilot and crew for staying composed and providing reassurance during the aftermath.
“I’ll never forget the sound,” one passenger tweeted. “It felt like death was outside the window. But our pilot saved us. A real hero.”
The footage—now circulating widely online—has reignited public concern over aviation safety, especially in shared airspace. As the investigation continues, many are asking how such a potentially deadly error could happen in an era of advanced radar and GPS systems. For the passengers aboard that Delta jet, however, the only thing that matters is that they lived to tell the tale.
