A commercial jetliner landing in North Dakota had to execute an abrupt “go-around” maneuver to avoid a collision with a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber, according to the pilot and the airline. SkyWest Flight 3788, operating as a Delta connection, had been cleared by air traffic control to land on Friday. But the pilot was forced to divert mid-approach when another aircraft became visible in the flight path, SkyWest said in a statement. The airline has launched an investigation.
Air Force silent on details
Air Force officials acknowledged a B-52 bomber flyover at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot, but offered no additional details about its altitude or route. Minot is home to both a commercial airport and an Air Force base.
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What the pilot told passengers
In a video posted to Instagram and verified by Storyful, the pilot told passengers that the B-52 appeared to be on a potential collision course. He described making an “aggressive maneuver” to avoid a midair impact and apologized for the frightening experience.
“This is not normal at all,” the pilot acknowledged. “Long story short, it was not fun, but I apologize for it.” Those aboard the flight broke out in applause after the announcement concluded.
Flight tracker data
According to flight tracking data reviewed by The Washington Post, the regional jet made “a sharp right turn” and climbed during its landing approach before circling back to land safely. The B-52, the Post reported, appeared to be “performing ellipses” in the vicinity at the time of the near miss.
Air Force statement
The Air Force has yet to respond to inquiries about the location and altitude of the B-52 during the event and did not disclose whether the base had informed the airport of its flyover.
“We are aware of the recent reporting regarding commercial and Air Force aircraft operating in airspace around Minot International Airport. We are currently looking into the matter,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
Passenger reaction
Monica Green, who recorded the pilot’s announcement, told NBC News the experience was deeply unsettling.
“I just remember the plane going, like, sideways… and just looking straight out the window and just seeing grass, like you weren’t seeing the skyline anymore,” Green said.
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The odds of dying in an air collision on a commercial flight are around 1 out of every 13.7 million passengers boarding, according to recent studies.
Broader safety concerns
The incident follows renewed scrutiny of airspace coordination between military and civilian aircraft, especially after a deadly midair crash earlier this year involving a Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger jet over the Potomac River. That tragedy killed 67 people and prompted calls for improved protocols between federal agencies.
