On July 18, 2025, a SkyWest Flight 3788 Airlines flight operating as Delta Connection Flight 3788 narrowly avoided a midair collision with a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress near Minot International Airport (MOT), North Dakota. The incident, which involved an Embraer E175 regional jet carrying 76 passengers and four crew members, has raised significant concerns about airspace coordination between civilian and military aircraft. This blog post presents a comprehensive report on the event, incorporating facts, figures, and insights to provide an informative resource for aviation enthusiasts and safety advocates visiting the Safe Fly Aviation website.

Incident Overview

SkyWest Flight 3788, a routine 90-minute flight from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) to Minot, North Dakota, was on its final approach to MOT at approximately 8:00 p.m. local time on July 18, 2025. The aircraft, an Embraer E175, was cleared for landing by the Minot International Airport air traffic control (ATC) tower, which is operated by a private contractor rather than the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). However, during the descent, the pilot visually identified a B-52 bomber, assigned to the nearby Minot Air Force Base, converging on the flight path. The pilot executed an “aggressive manoeuvre” to avoid a potential collision, performing a go-around—a procedure where the aircraft aborts its landing and climbs to circle for another attempt. The flight landed safely shortly after, with no injuries reported among the 80 people on board.

The B-52 was conducting a pre-approved flyover at the North Dakota State Fair, located near the airport, as part of a special event recognising Minot as a “Great American Defence Community.” The flyover was coordinated with the FAA and Minot ATC, but a critical communication lapse meant the SkyWest pilot was not informed of the B-52’s presence in the airspace.

Pilot’s Response and Passenger Experience

In a video recorded by passenger Monica Green and verified by multiple news outlets, the SkyWest pilot addressed passengers after landing, explaining the harrowing incident. He noted that the B-52 was moving significantly faster than the commercial jet, stating, “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.” The pilot apologised for the “aggressive manoeuvre,” emphasising, “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.” Passengers responded with applause, appreciating the pilot’s quick thinking and transparency.

Monica Green, seated in the front row, described the manoeuvre as a sharp, disorienting turn, noting, “The plane just takes a hard turn to where we’re going sideways, and I am looking at grass instead of looking at a horizon.” Despite the intensity, she reported a “weirdly calm” atmosphere in the cabin, with some passengers, like the man next to her, remaining unfazed.

Timeline and Flight Data

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 and other sources provide insight into the incident:

  • 7:43 p.m.: Minot Approach Control directed the B-52 crew to contact Minot International Airport’s ATC tower.

  • 7:50 p.m.: The B-52 crossed the fairgrounds for the flyover and was instructed to proceed two miles westbound to clear the airport’s airspace.

  • Simultaneously: SkyWest Flight 3788, descending toward MOT, made a sharp right turn, followed by a climb and a loop before landing safely.

The B-52, a heavy bomber with a maximum speed of approximately 650 mph (compared to the E175’s cruising speed of around 500 mph), was likely operating at a lower speed during the flyover but still significantly faster than the commercial jet. Tracking data showed the B-52 performing ellipses in the area, while the SkyWest jet deviated from its descent path to avoid the converging course.

Airspace Coordination Issues

The incident highlights ongoing challenges in coordinating military and civilian aircraft in shared airspace, particularly near military bases like Minot Air Force Base, home to the 5th Bomb Wing and 26 B-52 bombers. The Air Force confirmed that the FAA and Minot ATC approved the flyover; however, the tower failed to inform the B-52 crew of the incoming commercial flight. Conversely, the SkyWest pilot was not warned about the B-52’s presence.

Minot International Airport operates as a “contract tower,” staffed by private contractors rather than FAA employees, a typical setup at smaller U.S. airports. These towers often lack radar, relying on visual separation and communication with nearby facilities, such as Minot Air Force Base’s radar-equipped control. The pilot’s comment about the Air Force base’s radar suggests a missed opportunity for better situational awareness.

Additionally, military aircraft, such as the B-52, often fly without broadcasting their location via Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) systems, which can alert civilian aircraft to their presence. This practice, intended for security during specific missions, may have contributed to the lack of warning for the SkyWest pilot. Following a January 2025 midair collision near Reagan National Airport that killed 67 people, the use of ADS-B by military aircraft has been under scrutiny, with lawmakers advocating for its activation during non-combat operations.

Investigations and Implications

Both the FAA and SkyWest Airlines have launched investigations to determine the cause of the near-miss, focusing on communication breakdowns between military and civilian ATC. The Air Force is also reviewing the incident, with a spokesperson stating, “We are currently looking into the matter.” Key questions include:

  • Why was the SkyWest pilot not informed of the B-52’s flyover?

  • Did the B-52 crew follow proper procedures after the flyover?

  • Could ADS-B activation or enhanced radar coordination have prevented the incident?

The FAA has not disclosed whether the SkyWest jet’s Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) issued an alert, which could have prompted the evasive manoeuvre. The investigation will also examine whether Minot ATC’s contractor status contributed to the oversight.

This incident follows a deadly January 2025 collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger jet near Reagan National Airport, which prompted calls for improved military-civilian airspace coordination. Representative Betty McCollum, a Minnesota Democrat, expressed concern about the Minot incident, emphasising the need for robust safety measures.

Safety Lessons and Recommendations

The near-miss underscores several critical areas for improving aviation safety:

  1. Enhanced Communication Protocols: Clearer coordination between military and civilian ATC is essential, especially in shared airspace near bases like Minot.

  2. ADS-B Utilisation: Activating ADS-B on military aircraft during non-combat operations could provide civilian pilots with real-time positional data, reducing collision risks.

  3. Radar Integration: Smaller airports with contract towers should leverage nearby military radar capabilities to enhance situational awareness.

  4. Training and Preparedness: The SkyWest crew’s swift decision-making underscores the importance of rigorous training in responding to unexpected threats.

Conclusion

The SkyWest Flight 3788 incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of managing shared airspace, particularly in regions with significant military activity. The pilot’s swift action averted a potential tragedy, but the event has sparked renewed scrutiny of airspace coordination practices. As investigations by the FAA, SkyWest, and the Air Force continue, the aviation community awaits recommendations to prevent similar incidents. At Safe Fly Aviation, we remain committed to promoting safety through education, analysis, and advocacy, ensuring incidents like this drive meaningful improvements in aviation safety standards.

For more updates on aviation safety and incident analyses, visit the Safe Fly Aviation 

Sources:

  • CBS News, July 21, 2025

  • The New York Times, July 22, 2025

  • The Washington Post, July 22, 2025

  • The Guardian, July 21, 2025

  • USA TODAY, July 22, 2025

  • AeroTime, July 22, 2025

  • NPR, July 22, 2025

  • Reuters, July 22, 2025