On July 18, 2025, at approximately 19:48 CDT, a US Air Force B-52H, operating as WBD03, was involved in a loss of separation event approximately two miles south of Minot International Airport (MOT). The event occurred involving SkyWest Airlines flight 3788, an Embraer ERJ 170-200, registration N604CZ, which was arriving on runway 31 from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Following this event, the same B-52H was involved in a second loss of separation approximately one mile west-southwest of Minot International Airport with a Piper PA-28-151, registration N41349, which was performing local pattern operations.
What happened
The B-52H was en route to conduct an aerial flyby at the North Dakota Fairgrounds. Prior to the event, the Dakota Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) Minot radar sector coordinated with the Minot International Airport Traffic Control Tower (MOT ATCT) to manage several arrivals and the flyby mission.
At approximately 19:43 CDT, the B-52H checked in with the local controller 15 miles east of the airport. The controller instructed the military aircraft to delay its northbound turn until it was at least two miles west of the airport. Simultaneously, the controller was managing SkyWest flight 3788 on an RNAV approach to runway 31 and a Piper aircraft in the local pattern.
At approximately 19:48 CDT, the local controller visually observed the B-52H. At this time, SkyWest 3788 reported being one mile from the final approach fix. To maintain separation due to the flyby, the controller requested permission to have the SkyWest aircraft perform a 360-degree turn. The SkyWest crew requested to break off their approach instead.
During the coordination of new headings and altitudes, the controller inadvertently issued an instruction to the B-52H that was intended for the SkyWest aircraft. The SkyWest crew eventually requested to maintain their present heading and climb to 4,200 feet, which was approved after further coordination with the radar sector controller.
There were no injuries and no fatalities resulting from these events. The SkyWest flight landed safely on runway 31 after being vectored to the airport.