Background on SkyWest Airlines and the Incident
SkyWest Airlines, operating a Delta Connection flight, narrowly escaped a potential collision with a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber near Minot, North Dakota. The incident occurred on a Friday when the regional jet was preparing to land at Minot International Airport from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Near Miss
According to videos recorded by passengers and shared on social media, the pilot of SkyWest Flight 3788 abruptly changed direction upon receiving instructions from the air traffic control tower. The pilot mentioned detecting a fast-approaching military aircraft and opted for an evasive maneuver.
Pilot’s Communication:
“Turn right,” instructed the control tower. The pilot responded, “There’s an aircraft there.” The tower then directed, “Turn left.”
“Considering its speed, it was a military aircraft. I don’t know how fast it was going, but it was much faster than us. I thought the safest option was to do a fly-by,” explained the pilot.
“I apologize for this aggressive maneuver. It surprised me. This is not normal at all,” the pilot continued.
Investigation and Response
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed they are investigating the incident involving SkyWest Flight 3788 at Minot International Airport on July 18. SkyWest Airlines also initiated an investigation, stating that the flight had clearance from the control tower but executed a missed approach when another aircraft became visible on its flight path.
The U.S. Air Force confirmed to the Washington Post that a B-52 bomber was conducting a flight over Minot on the same day, where both a civilian airport and a military base are located. The pilot mentioned that the airport lacks radar, and the control tower operates visually.
Contextualizing the Incident
This near-collision incident comes less than six months after a tragic helicopter crash involving a U.S. Army vehicle and an American Airlines flight approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The accident resulted in the unfortunate loss of all 67 people on board both aircraft, prompting federal authorities and Congress to review the coordination between military and civilian aircraft sharing the same airspace.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was involved in the incident? A SkyWest Airlines regional jet operating as Delta Connection Flight 3788 and a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber.
- What happened during the incident? The SkyWest pilot executed an evasive maneuver after detecting the faster-moving B-52 bomber on approach to Minot International Airport.
- What actions were taken following the incident? The FAA and SkyWest Airlines launched investigations. The U.S. Air Force confirmed the B-52 bomber flight over Minot on that day.
- Why is this incident significant? It highlights the need for improved coordination between military and civilian aircraft sharing airspace, following another fatal accident involving a military helicopter and an American Airlines flight six months prior.
