The U.S. Air Force confirmed Monday that the B-52 bomber involved in a near miss with a commercial flight over North Dakota last week was operating on an FAA-approved flight path as it prepared for a scheduled flyover at the North Dakota State Fair, as reported[1] by Fox News.
The incident occurred on July 18 near Minot, North Dakota, when a SkyWest Airlines regional flight operating as Delta Connection was forced to perform a sudden maneuver to avoid the bomber.
The commercial flight, carrying passengers from Minneapolis to Minot, eventually landed safely after circling the airport several times.
According to a statement released by the Air Force, the B-52 was in contact with both Minot Approach Control (RAPCON) and the air traffic control tower at Minot International Airport throughout the planned flyover.
The flyover[3] had been pre-approved and coordinated in advance with the FAA.
“At approximately 7:10 p.m. prior to the flyover, the B-52 crew contacted Minot Approach (RAPCON) to prepare for the flyover. Required checklists were completed, and the crew remained in contact with Minot Approach as it flew to its holding point 12 miles east of the fairgrounds,” the Air Force stated.
“While holding, the B-52 crew communicated the flyover plan to both RAPCON and Minot International Airport’s air traffic control tower.”
The Air Force added that at 7:43 p.m., Minot Approach directed the B-52 crew to contact the Minot tower, which then gave instructions to proceed two miles westbound after the flyover. “The tower did not advise of the inbound commercial aircraft,” the Air Force noted.
New video shows a Delta passenger jet banking as it took evasive action during a mid-air close call with a B-52 bomber. ABC News’ Gio Benitez has the latest. https://t.co/JoACf9NXZj[4]pic.twitter.com/khxlMlnJMB[5]
SkyWest Airlines confirmed that its Flight 3788 was cleared for approach but was forced into a go-around when the B-52 became visible in its flight path.
“SkyWest flight 3788, operating as Delta Connection from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Minot, North Dakota on July 18, landed safely in Minot after being cleared for approach by the tower but performed a go-around when another aircraft became visible in their flight path,” the airline said in a statement to FOX Business. “We are investigating the incident.”
Audio from the SkyWest pilot, captured in a video posted online, has since gone viral. The pilot can be heard explaining the incident to passengers, stating:
“Given his speed… I don’t know how fast they were going, but they were a lot faster than us. I felt it was the safest thing to do to turn behind it.”
“So sorry about the aggressive maneuver. It caught me by surprise,” he added.
“This is not normal at all. I don’t know why they didn’t give us a heads-up, because the Air Force base does have radar… long story short, it was not fun, but I do apologize for it, and thank you for understanding. Not a fun day at work.”
“Not a fun day at work.”
Delta Air Lines pilot was forced to perform an “aggressive maneuver” to avoid a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber. pic.twitter.com/Dk6EB4oF3O[7]
— America’s Newsroom (@AmericaNewsroom) July 22, 2025[8]
The Federal Aviation Administration is continuing to investigate the incident[3].
