Pilot Avoids B-52 Midair Collision Near North Dakota Airport

A regional airline pilot made a sharp evasive maneuver near Minot, North Dakota, to avoid a midair collision with a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber during a flyover for the North Dakota State Fair. The incident, captured in a passenger’s video, occurred during the descent of Delta Flight 3788. The SkyWest pilot later apologized, citing the lack of communication and radar capabilities at the small airport. The bomber, based at Minot Air Force Base, had been performing a scheduled flyover. The FAA has launched an investigation, noting that air traffic services at Minot are managed by a private contractor, not FAA personnel. The Air Force is also reviewing the event. The pilot expressed frustration over the oversight, noting that the bomber appeared unexpectedly in his flight path. The safe landing and quick response raised concerns about radar limitations at small airports and coordination between military and civilian aircraft.

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Source: AP News