• A SkyWest-operated Delta flight nearly collided with a B-52 bomber in North Dakota.
• The passenger aircraft executed an "aggressive maneuver" to avoid the military plane.
• Air traffic controllers did not inform the bomber crew of the approaching airliner.
• Investigations by the FAA and Air Force are ongoing regarding the incident.
• The close call underscores ongoing air safety concerns in the US.

On July 18, a SkyWest-operated Delta flight, designated as Flight 3788, performed a sharp maneuver to evade a B-52 bomber while approaching Minot International Airport in North Dakota. The pilot described this maneuver as "aggressive," which became necessary after seeing the military aircraft speeding towards them without prior warning from air traffic control, according to CBS News and Los Angeles Times.

The near-miss incident prompted the pilot to execute a go-around maneuver just before landing, stating over the intercom, “Sorry about the aggressive maneuver. It caught me by surprise,” which elicited applause from passengers, reports SCMP and The Hill.

As the incident unfolded, it was noted that Minot's airport does not have its own radar, relying instead on visual communication from air traffic controllers, a common limitation at smaller airports. The B-52 bomber, operated by Minot Air Force Base, had been authorized for a flyover at the North Dakota State Fair but the crew was not advised of the commercial jet’s approach, leading to the dangerous situation, according to Channel News Asia and Los Angeles Times.

The FAA and Air Force are conducting investigations into the incident to ascertain how a commercial flight and military aircraft came into such close proximity without adequate warnings. This incident has raised further concerns regarding air safety protocols amid recent high-profile near-misses and accidents involving civilian and military air traffic, as highlighted by The Hill and NPR.