On July 18, 2025, a Delta Connection narrowly avoided a collision with a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress while approaching Minot International Airport (MOT) in North Dakota.
Flight DL3788, an Embraer E175 operated by SkyWest Airlines, was inbound to Minot International Airport in the latter stages of descent when the near miss occurred.
The incident, which occurred during a routine flight from Minneapolis-Saint Paul, has raised concerns about civilian-military airspace coordination.
Delta Connection DL3788 Minneapolis-Minot
The Delta Connection jet, carrying passengers on a 90-minute journey, was cleared for approach by Minot’s air traffic control.
Suddenly, a USAF B-52 Stratofortress bomber from Minot Air Force Base (MIB) appeared on a converging path. The SkyWest pilot was forced to execute an aggressive maneuver to avoid a potential mid-air collision.
Passengers on the right side of the aircraft reported sighting the B-52, and the pilot later explained over the PA system, “They were a lot faster than us, so I turned behind it. It was the safest thing to do.”
He noted the lack of prior warning, calling the event “not normal at all.”
The B-52 may have been performing a low-altitude flyover for a military award ceremony at the North Dakota State Fair, potentially crossing the airport’s arrival path.
Speculation suggests the B-52’s transponder might not have been active on civilian systems, delaying a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) alert.
Complicating matters, a small Canadian-registered Glasair III was broadcasting nearby, initially causing confusion as the pilot mistook it for the approaching aircraft.
Passenger Monica Green, who recorded the pilot’s announcement, described a tense but calm cabin. The plane circled multiple times before landing safely. “The pilot was upfront, which we appreciated,” Green said. “He seemed stressed but handled it well.”
Flight Data
Flight data shows that flight DL3788 had made a departure out of Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) at 6:36PM local time on 18 July.
The flight had proceeded normally and was on descent through 3,000 feet approaching Minot (MOT) when the incident occurred.
Flight crew took evasive action, climbing to 4,000 feet in a wide right-hand orbit before establishing for a second approach.
The aircraft conducting the DL3788 service from Minneapolis was an Embraer E175, registered N604CZ. This is an 18 year old regional jet belonging to the carrier Delta Connection, and operated by SkyWest Airlines.
Conclusion
SkyWest and the U.S. Air Force are investigating, with the FAA likely involved to assess whether this qualifies as a loss of separation. Minot Air Force Base, home to 26 B-52s, shares airspace with civilian traffic, highlighting the need for improved coordination.
This incident follows a January 2025 crash involving a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Eagle jet, underscoring ongoing challenges in joint-use airspace.
The investigation will focus on why no warning was issued and how to prevent future risks. No injuries occurred, but the event has sparked discussions about aviation safety and military-civilian airspace management.
