Dangerous Encounter: FAA to Investigate Incident Between Commercial Aircraft and B-52
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed on Monday that it will investigate an incident that occurred on Friday between a commercial aircraft operated by SkyWest for Delta Air Lines and a B-52 bomber near Minot, North Dakota.
The regional flight, which departed from Minneapolis bound for Minot, was forced to execute an aggressive evasive maneuver to avoid a potential mid-air collision with the military aircraft. The maneuver startled both the crew and passengers.
“Not a Good Day at Work”: Pilot Explains What Happened
During the final approach to Minot Airport, the pilot of SkyWest Flight 3788 made a sharp turn to the right. According to passenger Monica Green, who spoke to ABC News, “Suddenly, we banked hard to the right—we kept turning and turning—and the pilot announced, ‘Sorry, everyone. I’ll explain everything once we land safely.’”
Once on the ground, the captain apologized to the passengers and provided details about the maneuver:
“Given their speed… I don’t know how fast they were going, but they were much faster than us. I felt the safest option was to turn behind them. So, I apologize for the aggressive maneuver—it caught me off guard. This is not normal at all. I don’t know why we weren’t warned, because the Air Force base has radar… Long story short, it wasn’t fun, but I appreciate your understanding. It was not a good day at work.”
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What Happened in the Skies Over North Dakota?
The flight, identified as SkyWest 3788, had been cleared for approach by Minot Airport’s control tower. However, according to the airline, it was forced to perform a go-around (full throttle and climb) when another aircraft appeared in its path: a B-52 from the Air Force.
Minot Air Force Base confirmed that one of its B-52s had conducted a flyover during the North Dakota State Fair on Friday afternoon. However, it remains unclear how close the two aircraft came to each other or whether any collision warning was triggered in the cockpit.
Limitations of Minot Airport and Questions About Coordination
Minot is a Class D airport, meaning it lacks radar and operates solely under visual flight rules (VFR). Additionally, the tower controllers are not FAA employees but contractors.
This detail is critical, as the pilot reported no prior warning about the military traffic, despite the Air Force base having radar. The lack of communication raises questions about coordination between military and civilian authorities in airspace management.
FAA and SkyWest Launch Investigations
Both the FAA and SkyWest have initiated internal investigations to clarify the facts.
A SkyWest spokesperson stated: “SkyWest Flight 3788, operating as Delta Connection from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Minot, North Dakota, landed safely in Minot after receiving approach clearance from the tower but executed a go-around when another aircraft became visible in its path. We are investigating the incident.”
For its part, the Air Force acknowledged the event and confirmed it is reviewing what happened.
An Incident That Reignites Air Safety Concerns
This event once again highlights the challenges of operating commercial and military flights in shared airspace, particularly in environments with limited infrastructure like Minot. The absence of radar and reliance on visual procedures can increase risk in situations where every second counts.
As authorities investigate the incident, it serves as a critical reminder of the need for better coordination between civilian and military operators to ensure the safety of everyone in the skies.
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