Credited from: INDIATIMES
On July 18, Delta Airlines flight DL3788, operated by SkyWest, was approaching Minot International Airport from Minneapolis when it had to make an "aggressive maneuver" to avoid a collision with a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber. The pilot noted that the maneuver was necessary due to the "rapidly approaching" bomber that was on a converging course, which was not indicated prior to the incident, underscoring the need for better communication between military and civilian air traffic controllers, especially in shared airspace around Minot Air Force Base, which is known to operate B-52 bombers, according to Newsweek, India Times, and ABC News.
The incident instigated significant reactions from the pilot who later reassured passengers after safely landing, explaining, "I felt it was the safest thing to do to turn behind it." He expressed that it was not a typical day at work and offered apologies for the unexpected maneuver, which left passengers concerned, especially those on the right side of the plane who viewed the B-52 closely, according to ABC News, India Times, and Newsweek.
The Delta flight performed a go-around after being instructed by air traffic control to change its course due to inadequate separation from another aircraft, only to encounter the military bomber without prior notification. SkyWest Airlines, in response to the incident, has confirmed their involvement and mentioned that an investigation is underway, emphasizing the importance of improved airspace management protocols, as noted in reports from India Times, ABC News, and Newsweek.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also begun its own investigation to look into the elements contributing to this close call, primarily focusing on the coordination between military operations and civilian aviation after confirming that Minot International Airport relies on visual separation, lacking its own radar system. The situation draws attention to the risks posed to commercial flights operating in high-military-activity regions, as highlighted by ABC News, Newsweek, and India Times.