Possible Rewrite:
In late July, a potential near miss between a B-52 Stratofortress from Minot Air Force Base and a SkyWest Airlines passenger plane has sparked an investigation by both parties. The incident occurred on July 18, as SkyWest flight 3788 was approaching Minot International Airport for landing. According to the airline’s statement, the commercial plane was cleared for landing when another aircraft suddenly appeared in its flight path.
Due to this unexpected obstacle, the pilot of the SkyWest flight aborted the landing and circled above the airport before safely landing. SkyWest has announced that they are currently conducting an investigation into the incident.
The Air Force has also confirmed that a B-52 from Minot Air Force Base had a flyover scheduled at the nearby North Dakota State Fair on the same evening. However, they have not officially confirmed the near miss or launched an investigation.
Passengers on the SkyWest flight described the incident as a “close call,” with some claiming that the pilot had to make an “aggressive maneuver” to avoid the military aircraft. A video of the aftermath, recorded by a passenger named Monica Green, has been circulated by multiple news outlets. The footage shows the pilot explaining to passengers over the intercom system what had occurred.
The pilot stated that air traffic control had instructed them to turn to the right, but upon seeing the other aircraft on a converging course, he turned left to avoid a potential collision. The pilot described the other plane as a military aircraft flying at a much faster speed. Despite the unexpected and abrupt turn, the pilot apologized to the passengers and thanked them for understanding the situation.
This near miss comes just six months after a tragic midair collision over the Potomac River involving an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger plane, resulting in the loss of 67 lives. In addition, another incident occurred in May where an Army Black Hawk’s path forced two passenger jets to reroute around Reagan National Airport, raising concerns about military aircraft operating in busy commercial airspace.
Stephen Losey, the air warfare reporter for Defense News, has reported on similar incidents in the past. He has also covered stories on leadership, personnel issues, and special operations for Air Force Times and Military. com. With his experience covering U. S. Air Force operations, Losey is well-informed on the potential dangers of aircraft operating in the same airspace.