Delta Flight Near Miss Occurred Near Minot Air Force Base
A Delta Connection flight operated by SkyWest was forced to make an emergency maneuver to avoid a potential mid-air collision with a B-52 bomber while on approach to Minot International Airport in North Dakota on July 18, airline and Air Force officials confirmed.
The flight, operating as SkyWest 3788 from Minneapolis to Minot, encountered the military aircraft unexpectedly in its flight path. According to a pilot recording, the unexpected presence of the B-52 required an aggressive evasive turn behind the bomber.
Pilot Apologizes to Passengers for “Aggressive Maneuver”
Upon safely landing, the pilot addressed passengers over the intercom, apologizing for the abrupt movement and explaining the close encounter.
“Given his speed … I don’t know how fast they were going, but they were a lot faster than us. I felt it was the safest thing to do to turn behind it,” the pilot said. “This is not normal at all. I don’t know why they didn’t give us a heads up… Long story short, it was not fun.”
The pilot added that radar visibility should have prevented such a surprise, especially since Minot Air Force Base is equipped with advanced radar systems.
Unclear How Close the Aircraft Came
While no injuries were reported and the flight landed safely, it remains unclear how close the two aircraft came during the incident. Officials have not disclosed whether cockpit collision alarms were activated or what specific air traffic control directives were involved.
SkyWest and Air Force Launch Investigations
A SkyWest spokesperson confirmed that the airline is actively investigating the incident, stating:
“SkyWest flight 3788… was cleared for approach by the tower but performed a go-around when another aircraft became visible in their flight path.”
The U.S. Air Force also issued a statement acknowledging the incident and confirming that a B-52 aircraft assigned to Minot AFB conducted a flyover of the North Dakota State Fair on the same evening.
“We are currently looking into the matter,” said an Air Force spokesperson.
Questions Raised About Air Traffic Coordination
The incident raises serious concerns about coordination between military and civilian air traffic, especially in shared airspace near major installations like Minot AFB, which frequently operates large military aircraft like the B-52 Stratofortress.
Aviation analysts note that while go-arounds are not uncommon, the need for an abrupt maneuver due to unexpected military traffic is highly unusual and potentially dangerous.
What Happens Next?
Both SkyWest and the U.S. Air Force are expected to release more details following internal investigations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not yet issued a statement, but such incidents typically fall under their oversight for review and airspace coordination protocols.
Passengers on board expressed gratitude for the pilot’s swift response, even as many reported being shaken by the experience.
Final Note: This incident underscores the critical importance of real-time communication and coordination between civilian and military air traffic controllers, especially in overlapping operational zones. While no harm occurred this time, experts warn that continued lapses could have far more serious consequences in the future.
