U.S. Authorities Investigate Near Miss Between Passenger Jet & B-52 Bomber

AFP

B-52 Bomber.

U.S. aviation authorities have launched an investigation into a recent mid-air incident in which a commercial flight was forced to take emergency evasive action to avoid a collision with a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber near Minot, North Dakota.

The incident occurred on Friday, 18 July 2025, when SkyWest Airlines Flight 3788, operating for Delta and en route from Minneapolis to Minot, was approaching Minot International Airport. 

According to cockpit audio, the pilot abruptly altered course after spotting a fast-approaching aircraft on the right-hand side. “I felt it was the safest thing to do to turn behind it,” the pilot told passengers, adding, “Sorry about the aggressive maneuver — this is not normal at all.”

In a statement, the American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed it is investigating the event, while SkyWest Airlines also announced an internal review. The airline noted the flight had been cleared for approach but initiated a go-around after another aircraft appeared in its flight path.

The U.S. Air Force, without disclosing full details, confirmed that a B-52 bomber had been conducting a scheduled flyover of the North Dakota State Fair in Minot at the time of the incident. Minot, located roughly 80 kilometers from the Canadian border, hosts both a civilian airport and a military airbase.

The incident comes just months after a fatal collision between a U.S. Army helicopter and an American Airlines jet near Washington’s Reagan National Airport, which prompted federal scrutiny and congressional hearings.



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