Delta Flight’s Close Call with B-52 Bomber in North Dakota: What Happened?
On July 18, 2025, a Delta Connection flight operated by SkyWest Airlines narrowly avoided a mid-air collision with a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber near Minot, North Dakota. This alarming incident, involving SkyWest Flight 3788, has sparked investigations by both the airline and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Here’s a detailed look at what happened, why it matters, and what’s being done to prevent future incidents.
The Incident: A Sudden Evasive Maneuver
SkyWest Flight 3788, an Embraer E175 jet traveling from Minneapolis to Minot, was cleared for landing at Minot International Airport when the pilot noticed another aircraft—a B-52 Stratofortress—in its flight path. The pilot executed a “go-around,” a standard safety procedure to abort landing, accompanied by an “aggressive maneuver” to avoid a potential collision. According to a passenger recording shared on social media, the pilot described the experience as “not normal at all” and apologized for the abrupt action, noting that the B-52 was moving significantly faster than the commercial jet.
Passenger Monica Green, who was on board, described the plane jerking “harshly” to the right, leaving passengers in a “weirdly calm” state of uncertainty. The pilot’s transparency after landing, explaining the evasive action and lack of prior warning from air traffic control (ATC), earned applause from passengers.
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Why Did This Happen?
The incident occurred in a complex airspace near Minot Air Force Base, home to the 5th Bomb Wing and 26 B-52 bombers. The Air Force confirmed that a B-52 was conducting a flyover for the North Dakota State Fair at approximately 7:40 p.m., coinciding with the Delta flight’s landing attempt. Minot International Airport, which shares airspace with the military base, relies on visual separation due to its lack of radar, while the nearby Air Force base is equipped with radar. The pilot expressed frustration that no heads-up was given about the B-52’s presence, suggesting a potential lapse in communication between civilian and military air traffic control.
The absence of radar at Minot International Airport likely complicated situational awareness for the ATC, operated by a contractor rather than the FAA directly. Military aircraft like the B-52 may also operate with transponders off or using discrete codes, making them less visible to civilian systems like ADS-B or TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System). This could explain why the Delta pilot was caught off guard.
Investigations and Safety Implications
Both SkyWest Airlines and the FAA are investigating the incident to determine the root causes, including whether communication breakdowns or procedural errors contributed. The Air Force is also reviewing the event, particularly the B-52’s flight plan and coordination with civilian ATC. Key questions include how close the two aircraft came to colliding and whether cockpit alarms, such as TCAS, were triggered.
This near-miss follows a tragic January 2025 incident near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, where a military helicopter collided with a passenger plane, killing 67 people. The recurrence of such events underscores the need for improved coordination between civilian and military aviation, especially in shared airspace near military bases.
Why This Matters for Air Travel Safety
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Shared Airspace Challenges: Airports like Minot, located near military bases, face unique challenges in managing civilian and military traffic. Enhanced communication protocols are critical to prevent similar incidents.
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Pilot Decision-Making: The Delta pilot’s quick thinking and evasive action likely averted disaster, highlighting the importance of pilot training and situational awareness.
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Public Confidence: Transparency, as demonstrated by the pilot’s candid explanation, helps maintain passenger trust, but repeated near-misses could erode confidence in air travel safety.
How to Stay Informed
As investigations continue, updates from the FAA, SkyWest, and the Air Force will provide clarity on what went wrong and how to prevent future incidents. For travelers, staying informed about aviation safety can involve:
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Following reputable aviation news sources like Aviation A2Z or AVweb.
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Checking FAA announcements for updates on air traffic control improvements.
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Monitoring social media platforms like X for real-time passenger accounts and discussions, though always verify with official sources.