A near-disastrous incident unfolded in North Dakota on Friday when a SkyWest-operated Delta flight was forced to abort its landing due to the sudden presence of a B-52 bomber in its flight path. The commercial aircraft, Delta Flight 3788, had been approaching Minot International Airport after flying in from Minneapolis when the pilot made an abrupt go-around maneuver to avoid a possible collision with the military aircraft. The move, described as “aggressive” by the pilot, was made moments after air traffic control had cleared the plane for its final approach.
SkyWest confirmed the sequence of events in a statement, noting that the pilot decided to abandon the landing “when another aircraft became visible in their flight path.” The pilot quickly identified the approaching aircraft as a B-52 bomber, which the U.S. Air Force later confirmed had been conducting a flyover at the North Dakota State Fair on the same evening. The bomber was assigned to nearby Minot Air Force Base.
Despite the sudden maneuver, the SkyWest flight landed safely in Minot, with no injuries reported. SkyWest is currently investigating the incident.
Pilot and Passengers React to Frightening Close Call
Video footage shared on social media and verified by NBC News captured the immediate aftermath inside the cabin. The pilot is seen addressing passengers, explaining what occurred and apologizing for the sudden swerve. “So, sorry about the aggressive maneuver. It caught me by surprise,” the pilot says. “This is not normal at all. I don’t know why they didn’t give us a heads up.” He explained that initial instructions were to turn right, but upon spotting the B-52, he was told to adjust left — only to then find the bomber on a converging course with the commercial plane. With no time to spare, he made the decision to turn behind the bomber to avoid a collision.
“Long story short, it was not fun, but I do apologize for it, and thank you for understanding,” the pilot concluded. Passengers can be seen applauding his calm and decisive handling of the emergency.
One passenger, Monica Green, who recorded the moment, described the incident as terrifying. “I was so sick to my stomach that that was so close to happening,” she said. Green recalled feeling the plane jolt and take a sharp turn, adding, “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.” The experience has left her shaken and uneasy about her return flight from Minot.
Questions Raised Over Radar Limitations and Airspace Coordination
In the video, the pilot also pointed out a critical issue: the air traffic control tower at Minot International Airport lacks radar and relies solely on visual guidance. He noted that the nearby Minot Air Force Base is equipped with radar, which raises concerns about communication and coordination. “Hey, there’s also a B-52 in the pattern,” he remarked, expressing frustration that no one had issued a prior alert about the bomber’s presence.
NBC News aviation analyst Jeff Guzzetti confirmed that many smaller airports in the U.S. operate without radar. These airports often coordinate with nearby radar-equipped facilities, which in this case could include the adjacent Air Force base. Guzzetti explained that Minot’s airport qualifies as a “contract tower,” meaning that its air traffic controllers are not federal employees but are contractors hired by the FAA — often retired professionals. There are 265 such towers across the United States.
Guzzetti emphasized that the presence or absence of a larger radar or federal staffing is not the central issue. Instead, he pointed to the importance of communication. “I wouldn’t think that you would need a more powerful radar system or a larger tower to prevent things like this,” he said. “I just think that you need good coordination between the military base and the local civilian airport to work together to avoid these types of near misses.”
The incident involving Delta Flight 3788 and a B-52 bomber has reignited concerns about coordination between military and civilian air traffic operations, especially at smaller regional airports. While no one was injured, the event served as a reminder of the vital importance of communication in shared airspace. SkyWest continues to investigate, and the U.S. Air Force has indicated it is reviewing the reports surrounding the encounter.
