(USA, 22nd) A U.S. passenger plane preparing to land in Minot, North Dakota, in the Midwest, was forced to make a sharp turn in flight to avoid a collision with a U.S. Air Force B-52 strategic bomber.
Multiple U.S. media outlets including ABC and the New York Post reported on Monday (July 21) that the incident occurred on the 18th. The event involved SkyWest Airlines Flight 3788, operated as a Delta Connection service, en route from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Minot International Airport, North Dakota. The flight had already received tower clearance to land. However, a B-52 bomber suddenly appeared in the plane's flight path, forcing the passenger jet to make a sharp right turn and climb to avoid it before circling back and landing safely.
According to cockpit audio posted on social media, the pilot explained to passengers: "I don't understand why they didn't notify us in advance, because the Air Force base has radar… Anyway, this was not a pleasant experience." He indicated that the bomber was much faster than the commercial flight and that making a sharp turn was the safest evasive maneuver.
The U.S. Air Force did not provide specific details about the incident, only stating that a B-52 bomber was performing at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot at the time.
According to cockpit audio posted on social media, the pilot explained to passengers: "I don't understand why they didn't notify us in advance, because the Air Force base has radar… Anyway, this was not a pleasant experience." He indicated that the bomber was much faster than the commercial flight and that making a sharp turn was the safest evasive maneuver.
The U.S. Air Force did not provide specific details about the incident, only stating that a B-52 bomber was performing at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot at the time.
The New York Times reported that the U.S. Air Force did not respond to multiple requests for comment. An Air Force spokesperson told ABC News and other outlets that they are investigating reports of commercial and Air Force planes flying in the vicinity of Minot International Airport.
This SkyWest flight is a jet aircraft, typically seating 76 to 88 passengers. A passenger on board told The New York Times that there were about 60 people on the plane at the time.
Minot Air Force Base is located about 20 kilometers north of Minot International Airport and is home to the U.S. Air Force 5th Bomb Wing.
U.S. media commentary pointed out that this near-miss has once again highlighted problems in coordination between the U.S. military and civilian aviation authorities when sharing airspace. On the night of January 29 this year, a Southwest Airlines flight carrying 64 people collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter carrying three soldiers during landing at Washington National Airport, with both aircraft crashing into the Potomac River and no survivors.
This SkyWest flight is a jet aircraft, typically seating 76 to 88 passengers. A passenger on board told The New York Times that there were about 60 people on the plane at the time.
Minot Air Force Base is located about 20 kilometers north of Minot International Airport and is home to the U.S. Air Force 5th Bomb Wing.
U.S. media commentary pointed out that this near-miss has once again highlighted problems in coordination between the U.S. military and civilian aviation authorities when sharing airspace. On the night of January 29 this year, a Southwest Airlines flight carrying 64 people collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter carrying three soldiers during landing at Washington National Airport, with both aircraft crashing into the Potomac River and no survivors.