In a tense midair moment, a commercial flight carrying passengers to Minot, North Dakota was forced to abruptly change course to avoid a possible collision with a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber.
The incident has sparked an FAA investigation and raised questions about coordination between military and civilian aircraft operating in shared airspace.
Pilot’s Quick Thinking Averts Disaster
SkyWest Flight 3788, operating as a Delta connection from Minneapolis to Minot, was cleared for landing on Friday when the pilot spotted another aircraft directly in its path. That aircraft turned out to be a B-52 Stratofortress conducting a flyover for the North Dakota State Fair, which was underway in Minot.
The commercial pilot immediately initiated a “go-around” maneuver—a sharp right turn and rapid climb—to avoid a potential midair collision.
According to passengers and a video posted on Instagram, the pilot later explained over the intercom:
“Nobody told us [about the B-52]. Long story short, it was not fun, but I do apologize for it.”
Flight tracking data showed the jet’s sudden diversion and circling maneuver before it safely landed. The B-52 was also tracked performing elliptical flight paths around the airport at the same time.
Passengers were startled but unharmed. Monica Green, seated at the front of the aircraft, described the jarring moment:
“The plane just takes a hard turn to where we’re going sideways, and I am looking at grass instead of looking at a horizon.”
She described the cabin as oddly calm despite the sudden shift, though the reality of what almost happened sank in after landing. “It was surreal,” Green said, adding that incidents like this bring travel anxiety to the forefront.
Military and Civilian Airspace Coordination Under Scrutiny
The Air Force has acknowledged awareness of the incident but has not released specific details regarding the bomber’s altitude or flight path. In a brief statement, officials said:
“We are currently looking into the matter.”
The FAA confirmed that it is investigating the near-miss.
The proximity of Minot’s commercial airport to the Air Force base adds complexity to airspace coordination. While no injuries occurred in this case, it recalls past tragedies like the 2024 Black Hawk collision near Reagan National Airport, which killed 67 people and led to widespread reviews of civilian-military flight protocols.
SkyWest Airlines also confirmed the incident and emphasized that the pilot followed safety protocols, initiating the go-around as soon as the threat was visible.